TechFishNewsTechFishNews brings you all of your news in a simple and collective feed that is easy to read. TechFish! All the News You Need, in One Clean Feed.https://techfishnews.comFacebook’s former CSO says that the US must ‘come together to protect’ democracy from misinformation

Alex Stamos, who recently stepped down from his role as Chief Security Officer at Facebook, published an op-ed in The Washington Post today, saying that Facebook could have responded Russian interference on its platform earlier. But he also says that the issue is much larger than Facebook: Congress should update its laws regarding political advertisers, and social media users need to “adjust to a media environment in which several dozen gatekeepers no longer control what is newsworthy.”

Stamos opens with confirmation of one of the details in the recent New York Times report about how the social media company slowly dealt with Russia-linked activity — that she yelled at him after he had told Facebook’s board of directors that his team was...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebooks-former-cso-says-that-the-us-must-come-together-to-protect-democracy-from-misinformation37509SimeonFacebook’s former CSO says that the US must ‘come together to protect’ democracy from misinformationTumblr is missing from Apple’s App Store

Tumblr’s iOS app is missing from Apple’s App Store. Tumblr says that it is “working to resolve an issue with the iOS app,” but it’s not clear if the app is missing from the store because it was removed by Apple, or by Tumblr itself.

Earlier this week, users reported that there were issues with searching in the iOS app while Safe Mode was off. According to PiunikaWeb, Users who deleted the app in an attempt to reinstall it discovered that it was now missing from the App Store, although some users reported that they could re-download the app by going to their purchases page. As of this afternoon, Tumblr noted that it was “still working on the issue with the iOS app.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tumblr-is-missing-from-apples-app-store37507SimeonTumblr is missing from Apple’s App Store The Boring Company has completed digging its first tunnel

Elon Musk’s Boring Company reached a new milestone this week: it completed digging out its first tunnel in LA. Musk posted a video of the breakthrough to his Twitter account, showing off the machine reaching the end point, which the company calls O’Leary Station.

The video shows a crowd assembled at the end point watching as the machine breaks through. In October, the Boring Company Twitter account posted an image of the station, which ArsTechnica notes is named for a SpaceX/Boring Company employee who recently passed away.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-boring-company-has-completed-digging-its-first-tunnel37506SimeonThe Boring Company has completed digging its first tunnel Instagram accidentally exposed some user passwords through its data download tool

Instagram has notified some of its users that their password might have been exposed due to a security bug, according to The Information(via Engadget). A spokesperson for the company says that the issue was “discovered internally and affected a very small number of people.”

In this instance, the bug was tied to a feature that the company rolled out in April that allows users to download all of their data, implemented after European lawmakers rolled out its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). According to Instagram, some users who used that feature had their passwords included in a URL in their web browser, and that the passwords were stored on Facebook’s servers, Instagram’s parent company. A security researcher told The...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/instagram-accidentally-exposed-some-user-passwords-through-its-data-download-tool37504SimeonInstagram accidentally exposed some user passwords through its data download tool Unagi is the $1,190 electric scooter you won’t want to share with anyone

If you’re tired of those janky dockless electric scooters and ready for an upgrade, a new startup based in Oakland, California may have what you’re looking for. Unagi is the Japanese word for freshwater eel, but now it is also a stylish electric scooter for the luxury set.

Electric scooters are fast becoming a convenient and fun way to commute for city folks. But not everyone lives in a city with dockless, shareable scooters like Bird and Lime. David Hyman, the former Beats Music CEO and co-founder of music startup MOG, says he was inspired to launch Unagi after finding the scooter-sharing services to be kind of a “drag.” Many of the scooters are broken, and they could be hard to find when you need them the most, Hyman said.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/unagi-is-the-1190-electric-scooter-you-wont-want-to-share-with-anyone37503SimeonUnagi is the $1,190 electric scooter you won’t want to share with anyoneDisney’s Star Wars park will come with original music from John Williams

When Disney’s Star Wars land Galaxy’s Edge opens next year, it’ll come with a familiar soundtrack — Entertainment Weekly reports that John Williams will provide the score, and has a preview of what to expect, along with looks at two of the park’s big experiences.

The first of EW’s videos shows off a new behind-the-scenes look at the park’s construction, revealing an extensive array of buildings and landscapes, set to a music that is the “overarching theme” for Galaxy’s Edge. EW also previews a pair of videos that highlight the main rides for the parks — Smuggler’s Run, set aboard the Millennium Falcon, and Rise of the Resistance, set onboard a First Order ship.

The construction video shows off a sprawling world called Batuu — which...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/disneys-star-wars-park-will-come-with-original-music-from-john-williams37497SimeonDisney’s Star Wars park will come with original music from John WilliamsMicrosoft is now selling Amazon’s Echo devices

YouTube recently began to roll out a series of feature films that viewers can watch for free, supported by ads. While the selection isn’t large, there are some notable ones to catch, like The Terminator, Legally Blonde, and Rocky.

According to AdAge, the video platform began releasing the movies in October with a “Free to watch” category in its movie section, where users have traditionally purchased or rented movies. The films come with commercial interruptions, with pop-up ads that appear at regular intervals.

Rohit Dhawan, YouTube’s director of product management, told AdAge that the company saw an opportunity for consumers and advertisers, and notes that there might be a way for advertisers to “sponsor” films or hold exclusive...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/youtube-is-now-streaming-free-ad-supported-feature-films37491SimeonYouTube is now streaming free, ad-supported feature films Despite its flaws, Facebook still holds my memories, and giving that up is hard

]]>https://techfishnews.com/despite-its-flaws-facebook-still-holds-my-memories-and-giving-that-up-is-hard37492SimeonDespite its flaws, Facebook still holds my memories, and giving that up is hardHow the hell do you say Eevee’s name?

Of all the original 151 Pokémon, Eevee’s name might just be the easiest to pronounce. E-vee.Eee-vee. It’s exactly what it looks like. Or so I thought, until I started playing Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, where I listened my little fuzzy friend pronounce its own name as eh-vie for 30-something hours. Have I been saying its name wrong? Is Eevee saying its name wrong? Do pokémon have accents?

Pokémon: Let’s Go is modeled after Pokémon Yellow; the game is set in the series’s original region, Kanto, with the first 151 pokémon. Your starter, either Pikachu or Eevee, is chosen for you, depending on which version of the game you bought. Your furry little friend rides around at all times with you, and you can spend extra time rubbing its cute...

Pretend for a moment that you run a large and successful company. After years of outsized success, the company is confronted with a crisis. Public perception has begun to turn — against your company in general, and against you specifically — and your leadership team is now presented with the question of what to do.

Your head of communications is charged with managing the public response. In time it will come out that this response including hiring a public relations agency whose work includes what is euphemistically referred to as “opposition research” and is more commonly understood to involve smear campaigns. These campaigns target your critics with attacks that are tinged with anti-Semitism and employ the services of a partisan...

Xiaomi has a couple of new products out in Walmart and gave press the rundown today at an event in New York City. The first is a 150-inch projector going for $1,999.99 at Walmart doubles up as a television with Android TV. It’s strangely overpriced for what it is, but it also marks one of Xiaomi’s infrequent expansions into American offerings.

There are a couple of things to break down here, namely that projector is oddly expensive for a 1920 x 1080p screen. Xiaomi says it has no concrete plans to bring a 4K version to the US, and that this is the same model it’s sold in China. You could have found cheaper 1080p projectors back in 2016.

Still, the projector has a number of positives including an ultra-short throw, so it can be placed 20...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/xiaomi-made-a-150-inch-2000-projector-thats-available-exclusively-at-walmart37464SimeonXiaomi made a 150-inch $2,000 projector that’s available exclusively at WalmartXiaomi made a 150-inch $2,000 laser projector exclusively available at Walmart

Xiaomi has a couple of new products out in Walmart and gave press the rundown today at an event in New York City. The first is a 150-inch laser projector going for $1,999.99 at Walmart doubles up as a television with Android TV. It may seem overpriced for what it is, but it also marks one of Xiaomi’s infrequent expansions into American offerings.

There are a couple of things to break down here, namely that projector is oddly expensive for a 1920 x 1080p screen. Xiaomi says it has no concrete plans to bring a 4K version to the US, and that this is the same model it’s sold in China. You could have found cheaper 1080p projectors back in 2016.

Still, the laser projector has a number of positives including an ultra-short throw, so it can be...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/xiaomi-made-a-150-inch-2000-laser-projector-exclusively-available-at-walmart37500SimeonXiaomi made a 150-inch $2,000 laser projector exclusively available at WalmartVerily pauses research on glucose-sensing contact lens

The lens — which was supposed to contain a tiny wireless chip and glucose monitor — was intended to help diabetic patients. People with diabetes need to carefully monitor their glucose levels, but all the existing monitoring options involve needles and can be painful. For many life science companies, building a needleless blood monitor is the holy grail of the industry, especially because 592 million people worldwide are expected to have diabetes by...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/verily-pauses-research-on-glucose-sensing-contact-lens37460SimeonVerily pauses research on glucose-sensing contact lensWith FilmStruck disappearing, Criterion is launching its own streaming service

In the wake of WarnerMedia’s decision to shutter FilmStruck, The Criterion Collection is planning to launch its own standalone streaming service in spring 2019.

The new service, “The Criterion Channel,” will allow subscribers to stream the company’s library of celebrated films, ranging from Hollywood classics to arthouse cult films and foreign pictures. A blog post on the company’s site confirms The Criterion Channel will also be available on “WarnerMedia’s new consumer platform when it launches late next year.”

The decision to launch The Criterion Channel follows the heartbreaking news for cinephiles that FilmStruck, Warner Bros.’ classic Hollywood movie streaming service, would shutter at the end of November. FilmStruck had an...

Sometimes, people can have really astounding weeks: they get engaged, promoted, and win their local karaoke competition all within a few days. Other times, they can have really terrible weeks: they go through a rough breakup, get fired, and are forced to listen to seven horrible rendition’s of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” at their local karaoke competition.

Danny DeVito had a legendary week — on the internet, at least. DeVito, who has become best known in recent years for his portrayal of Frank Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has long been a staple of internet culture. People adore DeVito and his strange character roles or commercials he stars in, but this week has seen an influx of strange DeVito stories celebrating...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-internet-is-celebrating-danny-devito-this-week37452SimeonThe internet is celebrating Danny DeVito this weekVerizon will launch RCS text messaging in early 2019

Yesterday at a small, business-focused GSMA event in New Jersey, Verizon’s SVP of consumer products, Aparna Khurjekar, announced that Verizon will launch support for RCS messaging in “early 2019.” The move is potentially significant as RCS is the new texting standard set to replace SMS just as soon as carriers around the world update their systems to support it.

More specifically, RCS Chat will replace SMS if carriers update their systems to support the “Universal Profile,” the version of RCS technology that allows messages to interoperate cleanly between carriers. Currently, very few do; in the US, that list includes Sprint, US Cellular, and limited support on T-Mobile. Other carriers like AT&T and Verizon use a proprietary texting...

Surely you remember the fateful week when Google’s big day was spoiled — when Russian bloggers revealed the Pixel 3 phone to the world in all its glorious detail? We still don’t know how, exactly, a batch of phones fell into their hands, but it may have just happened again: Russian tech blog Rozetked claims that you’re looking at the first images of the “Pixel 3 Lite.”

According to the publication, this Pixel 3 Lite has a 5.56-inch, 2220 x 1080-pixel IPS display, a plastic case, and a Snapdragon 670 processor, all of which would make it a cheaper Pixel but probably not a smaller one.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/this-might-be-googles-budget-pixel-complete-with-headphone-jack37454SimeonThis might be Google’s budget Pixel, complete with headphone jackMicrosoft made an app to rate your facial expressions against emojis

Microsoft has launched a free Windows app that uses machine learning to guess the facial expression you’re making when imitating an emoji. Called Emoji8, the app gives you a score for how well you recreate the emoji, and it’s mostly meant to show off the capabilities of this brand of artificial intelligence in an accessible way.

The app serves up an emoji for you to mimic, analyzes the video feed from your computer’s webcam, then tells you your percentage of accuracy. Then, oddly, it gives you the option of creating a gif with some of your “craziest facial expressions” to share on Twitter. On Microsoft’s end, Emoji8 is supposed to show how quick and flexible its machine learning prowess is. From a user end, it’s a bit weird to show off...

As Facebook reels from a bombshell New York Times report published this week, much of the focus has been on a controversial public relations firm hired by the company. Definers Public Affairs, a DC organization, pressed reporters with information favorable to Facebook, including by linking liberal billionaire George Soros to the funding of anti-Facebook activities.

Since the report was published, a fuller scope of the group’s activities has been established. The group also pitched reporters on negative articles about other tech companies: the Times and Business Insider have noted that the firm sought to portray Google and Apple in a negative light, and similar emails were also received by The Verge. According to CNN, one pitch about...

There’s a moment about two-thirds of the way through Netflix’s creepy new tech thriller Cam where audiences will think they have a pretty good handle on where the movie is headed. Alice (Madeline Brewer), a cam girl who goes by the online name “Lola,” is trying to figure out what’s going on with her account. It’s been hijacked by a woman who appears to be her doppelgänger, someone regularly performing live broadcasts in her name. And none of the fans who send her money can tell the difference.

Given the timely concerns about deepfakes and altered video, it’s natural to assume the film will eventually head toward some sort of explain-it-all climax, using technology and machine learning as a boogeyman, and dissipating all the tension and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/netflixs-cam-is-an-unsettling-thriller-about-losing-your-online-identity37446SimeonNetflix’s Cam is an unsettling thriller about losing your online identityThe bots of the future are going to use our own metadata to seem more human

Today the internet is a quagmire of captial-c Content, made navigable by retweets, likes, and favorites; everything posted can be quantified by its corresponding reactions. Though in aggregate it may seem like noise, to people in the business of disinformation, there’s a valuable signal there to be picked apart and studied. Our activity on social platforms — those favorites and likes and retweets — are a form of metadata that can help manipulators and their bots appear human to the algorithms that police social networks. And that problem is about to get a lot worse: bots are starting to mimic your social media activity in order to look more human.

“For users and platforms alike, it is getting harder to discern ‘real’ users and authentic...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-bots-of-the-future-are-going-to-use-our-own-metadata-to-seem-more-human37438SimeonThe bots of the future are going to use our own metadata to seem more humanMicrosoft wants to put ads in Windows email — and it’s already testing them out (update)

Do you use the default Mail client on your PC, the one that comes with Windows 10, to read your email? How would you feel if Microsoft decided to throw in a few ads right at the top of your inbox?

These aren’t rhetorical questions — as Windows news site Aggiornamenti Lumia noticed today, Microsoft is already testing that exact idea in a number of countries around the world. According to Microsoft’s FAQ, what we’re seeing is a pilot program, an experiment, a test that’ll theoretically help the company decide if it should actually roll out the feature for real.

Update, 11:52 AM PT: Microsoft comms head Frank Shaw tells us the company has decided to turn these ads off. He also says the experiment was never intended to be tested broadly,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-wants-to-put-ads-in-windows-email-and-its-already-testing-them-out-update37439SimeonMicrosoft wants to put ads in Windows email — and it’s already testing them out (update)Russia’s successful rocket launch is a good sign for next month’s astronaut mission

Russia’s state space corporation, Roscosmos, successfully launched a cargo capsule to the International Space Station this afternoon — using the same type of rocket that failed more than a month ago with two astronauts on board. It’s a sign that Roscosmos has potentially fixed the issue that led to the failure and that the rocket may be ready to carry people again. And that’s good news, since the vehicle’s next crewed launch is coming up on December 3rd.

The rocket that launched today was the Soyuz FG, which sent up a Progress capsule filled with food and supplies to the three crew members on board the ISS. It’s technically not the first Soyuz launch since the accident, though. Roscosmos has already launched versions of the Soyuz rocket...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/russias-successful-rocket-launch-is-a-good-sign-for-next-months-astronaut-mission37431SimeonRussia’s successful rocket launch is a good sign for next month’s astronaut missionFallout 76 journal, day 2: home and heartache

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fallout-76-journal-day-2-home-and-heartache37432SimeonFallout 76 journal, day 2: home and heartacheThe dream of the ‘00s lives on in gossip blogs

Mostly, the internet is worse now than it was 20 years ago — but at least it looks better. Now that “going online” is more often a job than a hobby, the internet looks appropriately sleek to match: by adults and for adults, by professionals and for professionals. Platforms have different personalities, from the cutesy quirk of Etsy to the clean, friendly usability of Slack. But, in general, if a website is popular, if it is large enough to be the primary income source for its creators, it is both navigable and beautiful in a minimalist, Scandinavian-boutique-hotel sort of way. The look of a website is intentional and made by a well-paid committee. Very little about the internet’s appearance, short of a bug quickly remedied, is an...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-dream-of-the-00s-lives-on-in-gossip-blogs37433SimeonThe dream of the ‘00s lives on in gossip blogsGoogle Assistant call screening is now rolling out for the Pixel 2 and 2 XL

The Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL offered a pretty great call screening feature at launch, which used Google Assistant to answer suspected spam calls and transcribe the conversation in real time. Now, the feature is coming to the Pixel 2 and 2 XL as part of this week’s Google Phone update, as spotted by Droid Life.

Spam calls have been on the rise, and companies, including carriers like T-Mobile, have been taking matters into their own hands to prevent potential spam calls from reaching the customer entirely. But for the calls that still get through, you can tap the “screen call” button. Google Assistant will then alert the caller that you’re using a screening service and that you’ll receive a copy of the conversation. From then, you can...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-assistant-call-screening-is-now-rolling-out-for-the-pixel-2-and-2-xl37434SimeonGoogle Assistant call screening is now rolling out for the Pixel 2 and 2 XLWeather Up syncs with your calendar to show event forecasts

Contrast’s Weather Atlas has rebranded its app to Weather Up, and the 2.0 update brings calendar-synced event forecasts, international support, and an increased subscription price. Previously $4.99 / year or $0.49 / month, the Weather Up Pro subscription, which removes ads and adds event forecasts and extra icons and widgets, is now $9.99 / year or $1.99 / month.

Though pretty useful, syncing calendar events to weather apps isn’t a new idea. Other apps like Fresh Air (previously Weather or Not) have had this ability since 2014 and offer it without a subscription model. But to Weather Up’s credit, its interface makes it a lot easier to see all of your events at a glance, instead of one day at a time.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/weather-up-syncs-with-your-calendar-to-show-event-forecasts37435SimeonWeather Up syncs with your calendar to show event forecasts The Vergecast: Amazon’s HQ2 backlash, Facebook’s everything backlash, and the Gigafactory

This week, Casey Newton joins The Vergecast to talk about Amazon’s HQ2 backlash and the backlash against Facebook’s... well, everything. But it’s not all dour: Paul and Dieter get into the joys of Night Sight on the Pixel, and Sean O’Kane hosts “This Week in Elon” from the roof of the Gigafactory.

If you like what Casey has to say even a little, I can’t recommend subscribing to his newsletter, The Interface, enough. It’s a daily look at the intersection of social media and democracy, and it’s become essential reading for anybody who is trying to figure that out.

Even though Nilay couldn’t be on the podcast this week, he was with us in spirit because we also discussed Cocktail Pods:

There are so many streaming options available these days, and so many conflicting recommendations, that it’s hard to see through all the crap you could be watching. Each Friday, The Verge’s Cut the Crap column simplifies the choice by sorting through the overwhelming multitude of movies and TV shows on subscription services and recommending a single perfect thing to watch this weekend.

What to watch

The first episode of Godless, a Western miniseries co-produced by Steven Soderbergh, Casey Silver, and writer-director-creator Scott Frank. A two-time Oscar nominee (for writing the screenplay to Soderbergh’s Out of Sight and for co-writing the Wolverine movie Logan), Frank has a gift for investing seemingly tawdry, juvenile stories with...

The internet’s favorite ogre may already be headed for another Hollywood-backed installment, but fans of the fantasy parody aren’t waiting around for its release. Instead, hundreds of artists have collaborated on their own scene-by-scene retelling of the first Shrek movie. Produced by Wisconsin comedy group 3GI, each artist brings their own style into the mix, meaning there’s everything from live-action bits to CGI and pixel art thrown into the same film. The project looks absurd in the best possible way, like a viral eBaum’s World video for 2018.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/over-200-artists-got-together-to-remake-shrek37421SimeonOver 200 artists got together to remake ShrekVerizon now lets you use up to five numbers on your phone

Carrying multiple phones for personal and business uses might be over for Verizon Wireless users. The company announced today that it is introducing an app that allows users to add up to four additional numbers to one smartphone.

The app is called My Numbers, and it can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. It’s an additional $15 a month per number, but that’s significantly cheaper than purchasing a second, third, or even fourth phone. The app sets up separate voicemail and text messaging boxes for the different numbers as well.

There are other apps like Burner, Flyp, and Google Voice that have relieved some of the stress of the business and personal phones dilemma, but this is one of the first...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/verizon-now-lets-you-use-up-to-five-numbers-on-your-phone37422SimeonVerizon now lets you use up to five numbers on your phoneOver-the-top shooter Sunset Overdrive is out today on PC

If you’ve never played it before, you’re in for a treat. Sunset Overdrive is one of the strangest and most captivating open-worlds ever made, filled with over-the-top mayhem that includes skateboard-style grinding, zombies created by a bad batch of Red Bull, and one of the most fluid character-creation tools ever released. Much like Spider-Man, it’s fun...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/over-the-top-shooter-sunset-overdrive-is-out-today-on-pc37410SimeonOver-the-top shooter Sunset Overdrive is out today on PCThis one’s for the dog cheese

Welcome to Fav’d For Later, a Friday roundup of our favorite memes, trends, and all-around good internet content. This week, we ponder what-ifs and perfect cheese tosses.

Once in a while, the internet delivers. The memes aren’t just good and plenty, but timely. Clever. Disturbing in the best way. Sort of like with the Detective Pikachu trailer, which spun off its very own meme cycle. People, apparently, love creepy, realistic pokémon! I think y’all are crazy.

But I’m not here to argue about the merits of Jigglypuff, a balloon pokémon that is furry for some reason. Though Ryan Reynolds is voicing this cop, surely you’ve wondered what Pikachu might sound like with a different actor. Danny DeVito, perhaps?

A new video from YouTube channel JerryRigEverything shows that Apple’s latest iPad Pro can be bent and completely destroyed seemingly without much exertion. The tablet gave out quickly when host Zack Nelson performed his signature bend test, cracking down the middle near the microphone hole on the tablet’s left side and the Apple Pencil’s magnetic charging area on the right.

This YouTube video is not the only case of the new iPad Pros having less-than-ideal structural integrity. I’ve seen scattered forum reports of the tablets showing slight bends after just a day or two of usage or after being carried around in a backpack. A few people insist that their devices were a little bent out of the box.

After years of worsening robocalls, a bipartisan group of senators has introduced a bill today that would levy greater penalties on people and groups that place the scammy and sometimes malicious calls.

The TRACED Act, sponsored by Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Roger Wicker (R-MS), would dramatically increase the penalty per robocall to up to $10,000. Previously, violators were charged with up to $1,500 per call. Currently, the Federal Communications Commission can only prosecute violators over inauthentic calls that were placed in the past year. This bill increases that time frame to three years. In previous letters to the senators, the commission said that “even a one-year longer statute of limitations for enforcement....

]]>https://techfishnews.com/congress-wants-harsher-penalties-for-robocallers37413SimeonCongress wants harsher penalties for robocallersWhat kind of company town will Tesla build around its Gigafactories?

The Verge went to the Gigafactory this week for the first time since the official opening in 2016. I won’t go on for too long about the experience here; we’ll publish a more in-depth look soon. (Suffice to say, it’s a big place! Who knew.)

But what struck me about Reno, Sparks, and the factory itself is how it is (and isn’t) like some other really famous company towns.

I have a mild obsession with company towns, and two, in particular, always jump to mind. The first is the community Henry Ford built around the River Rouge plant in Michigan. River Rouge was a vertically integrated plant — Elon Musk has said it was an inspiration for Tesla’s similar approach with the Gigafactory — and Ford applied this thinking to his workers, too.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/what-kind-of-company-town-will-tesla-build-around-its-gigafactories37404SimeonWhat kind of company town will Tesla build around its Gigafactories?Facebook Messenger reportedly testing a Watch Videos Together feature

Facebook launched its Watch Party feature earlier this year, which lets people in a Facebook Group watch videos in sync, commenting and reacting together. According to some new code added to Messenger, spotted by developer Ananay Arora, the company may be expanding a similar sort of feature to Messenger chats, via TechCrunch.

Based on the spotted code snippets, it seems like the “Watch Videos Together” feature would work a lot like Watch Party: drop a video in Messenger, and you’ll be able to ping the person (or group of people) in your Messenger thread so you can watch it at the same time. Presumably, Facebook is planning to support this feature for videos that are hosted on...

In between coffee breaks and presentations on quantum physics, scientists today voted to redefine the kilogram, the unit that underpins the world’s system of weights. Instead of basing the kilogram’s value on a physical artifact, as has been the case for more than 100 years, it will now be defined using a constant of nature.

Its weight, handily, will not change.

The vote has been centuries in the making, with scientists describing it as the biggest revolution in measurement since the French Revolution. Now, they say, the metric system will fulfill the guiding ideology of metrology established in that period: to create units of measurement “A tous les tempes, a tous les peuples” — for all time and for all people.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/scientists-say-goodbye-to-physical-definition-of-the-kilogram37406SimeonScientists say goodbye to physical definition of the kilogramCrosley is bringing back retro cassette decks

The company is selling two tape decks. Both have the same basic specs for cheap hardware: there’s a single mono speaker, an AM/FM radio, an integrated mic, and a single-direction deck (so you’ll have to flip the tape yourself, just like the good old days). Odds are that you won’t get the best-sounding speaker, but that’s not really the point.

The $60 CT100 model can also get shortwave radio, and it adds some rather anachronistic support for playing music off SD cards and USB drives. The $70 CT200 skips those features but adds...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/crosley-is-bringing-back-retro-cassette-decks37394SimeonCrosley is bringing back retro cassette decksTech is coming for the weed industry

Now that cannabis is big business, entrepreneurs are eager to bring tech to the weed industry, which means that cannabis is on the blockchain and machine learning has come for marijuana cultivation.

Both technologies were on display at this year’s Marijuana Business Daily Conference, or MJBizCon, in Las Vegas. Six years ago, MJBizCon started with 17 exhibitors and 400 attendees in Denver. Since then, more states have legalized marijuana, which means more demand for cannabis and more opportunities to make money. For example, analysts expect that the cannabis market in Michigan, which recently became the first Midwestern state to approve recreational marijuana, will reach nearly $2 billion annually in a few years. Globally, the cannabis...

One of the most interesting aspects of Pokémon: Let’s Go, which launches today on the Nintendo Switch, is that it connects with the mobile game Pokémon Go. All of those creatures you’ve been capturing on your phone? You can now bring them to the console game. Well, some of them, at least. Luckily it’s a fairly painless process to sync the two games, but there are a few hitches to be aware of. Here’s how to get going.

Getting started

The first step is to sync your devices. For the Switch, all you need to do is go to the main menu in Let’s Go and choose “Open Pokémon Go settings.” Once you do that the game will start searching for your Pokémon Go account. While that’s happening, open Pokémon Go and go to the settings menu. (First tap the...

Pokémon: Let’s Golaunches today for the Nintendo Switch, but the tablet’s Joy-Cons aren’t the only way to play. Nintendo is releasing a special peripheral called Poké Ball Plus as a standalone and a bundle with Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!. The handheld poké ball is adorable, but is it worth an extra $40 to $50?

The Poké Ball has a lot to offer in the way of features, starting with rare pokémon Mew. Connecting the peripheral for the first time will gift you with a level 1 pokémon to add to your lineup. As a controller, the Poké Ball Plus is limited to two buttons — confirm and cancel — and a joystick. Like the Joy-Con, it also includes motion controls that allow you to simulate tossing a poké ball in-game....

A recent data breach has exposed a database of around 26 million text messages containing private customer information, reports TechCrunch. In addition to the privacy concerns, the breach also highlights the dangers of relying on SMS messages for receiving two-factor authentication codes or account reset links, which sees sensitive information sent over an unencrypted communications platform.

The breach was brought to light by a Berlin-based security researcher named Sébastien Kaul, who discovered that the Voxox-managed database was discoverable, unprotected, and easily searchable for both names and telephone numbers. Since the server was still active after the breach was discovered, anyone could have monitored a near-real-time data...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/major-sms-security-lapse-is-a-reminder-to-use-authenticator-apps-instead37375SimeonMajor SMS security lapse is a reminder to use authenticator apps insteadFacebook’s latest scandal has Washington’s full attention

Facebook’s day was consumed with the fallout from Wednesday’s New York Times story about its slow response to Russian interference, which generated a furor greater than anything the company has seen since the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal. The company answered its critics, put Mark Zuckerberg on the phone with reporters for an extended question-and-answer session, and moved to shift the conversation to some important moves it is making around content moderation. It’s not yet clear whether the moves will cause the outrage to subside — or whether, as happened with Cambridge Analytica, it will metastasize over the coming days and weeks.

Let’s take a look at the day’s most important developments, in chronological order.

The justice department appears to have prepared an indictment against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, according to secret charges that were accidentally revealed in an unrelated court filing, reports The Washington Post. The disclosure was made by Assistant US Attorney Kellen S. Dwyer, who is also assigned to the WikiLeaks case, according to The Post.

It is unclear how exactly the Assange reference ended up in the unrelated filing, but The New York Timesspeculates that prosecutors had pasted text from a similar court filing into the wrong document. Legal analysts cited by The Guardian agreed, and said that it’s not uncommon for prosecutors to copy text from past documents before changing names and other details for a new filing....

Xiaomi’s Black Shark sub-brand makes its Western debut today with the eponymous Black Shark gaming phone in Europe. The phone is officially priced at £439 / €499 for a 6GB RAM / 64GB of storage model, going up to £479 / €549 for 8GB / 128GB. For a limited time, however, UK pricing will be £409 / £449 and European prices will be €469 / €519. Despite Xiaomi’s seemingly well-timed launch in the UK last week, Black Shark says the phone will only be available through the sub-brand’s own website for now.

I’ve been using the phone for a little over a week, but I’m not ready to publish a full review yet. I’ve run into some issues with the included controller and have been in communication with Black Shark, but didn’t receive final answers in...

Microsoft is removing one of the big limitations of Windows on ARM this week by allowing developers to create 64-bit ARM (ARM64) apps. Developers will be able to recompile existing win32 or Universal Windows Apps to run natively on Windows 10 on ARM hardware. That means 64-bit app performance should get a lot better, as long as developers take the time to recompile.

Microsoft is now relying on developers to use its tools to improve its Windows on ARM efforts. That’s a situation the software giant has found itself in before, relying on developers to create Universal Windows Apps for Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows Phone apps for a variety of new touch-based hardware. It’s hard to say whether 64-bit app support will really help move...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-opens-the-door-to-better-windows-on-arm-apps37360SimeonMicrosoft opens the door to better Windows on ARM appsNintendo dashes hopes of an N64 Classic

2016 had the NES Classic, 2017 had the SNES Classic, and 2018 has the PlayStation Classic, so a Nintendo 64 Classic can’t be too far away, right? Don’t count on it. In an interview with Kotaku, Nintendo of America CEO Reggie Fils-Aimé says that while he “would not ever rule something out... what I can tell you is certainly that’s not in our planning horizon.”

“We were clear when we did the first two Classic series that, for us, these were limited-time opportunities that were a way for us as a business to bridge from the conclusion of Wii U as a hardware system to the launch of Nintendo Switch,” says Fils-Aimé. “That was the very strategic reason we launched the NES Classic system.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/nintendo-dashes-hopes-of-an-n64-classic37352SimeonNintendo dashes hopes of an N64 ClassicHeadset legend Astro just made a $200 gamepad that’s as elite as they come

$200. That’s a heck of a lot for a PS4 / PC gamepad, particularly when Sony’s much-loved official DualShock 4 controller can often be found for just $40 on sale. But because this PS4 / PC gamepad comes from Astro — the acclaimed company behind the you-get-what-you-pay-for Astro A40 and A50 headsets — I immediately knew it would be worth some serious consideration.

Astro has never sold its own gamepads before, but that hasn’t stopped the brand from going all-out today: the new, officially Sony-licensed Astro C40 TR controller is arguably even more elite than Microsoft’s Xbox One Elite, which itself raised the ceiling for gaming controller prices to a then-sky-high $150 back in 2015. (The Verge’s Microsoft expert Tom Warren argued it was...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/headset-legend-astro-just-made-a-200-gamepad-thats-as-elite-as-they-come37339Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ngjDXVcaMfTpGgPAjCVrARqlMjs=/63x0:738x450/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62339251/astro_first_gamepad_c40_tr_gif.0.gifHeadset legend Astro just made a $200 gamepad that’s as elite as they comeHeadset legend Astro just made a $200 controller that’s as elite as they come

$200. That’s a heck of a lot for a PS4 / PC gamepad, particularly when Sony’s much-loved official DualShock 4 controller can often be found for just $40 on sale. But because this PS4 / PC gamepad comes from Astro — the acclaimed company behind the you-get-what-you-pay-for Astro A40 and A50 headsets — I immediately knew it would be worth some serious consideration.

Astro has never sold its own gamepads before, but that hasn’t stopped the brand from going all-out today: the new, officially Sony-licensed Astro C40 TR controller is arguably even more elite than Microsoft’s Xbox One Elite, which itself raised the ceiling for gaming controller prices to a then-sky-high $150 back in 2015. (The Verge’s Microsoft expert Tom Warren argued it was...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/headset-legend-astro-just-made-a-200-controller-thats-as-elite-as-they-come37341SimeonHeadset legend Astro just made a $200 controller that’s as elite as they comeAT&T is launching a new app to manage parental control features

AT&T is sunsetting its parent control Smart Limits app and replacing it with a new app called Secure Family. The new app will be available November 26th, and includes new features like location tracking, time limits, and content filtering.

The upgraded version lets users monitor up to 10 lines for $7.99 a month. Location tracking is more accurate, and parents can set up the app so they receive arrival and departure alerts when their child enters or leaves a location like their school. Parents can also prevent purchases from the App Store or Google Play, and filter content based on age-appropriate settings when the app is installed on the child’s device. There’s also time limits to make sure kids aren’t spending too much time on their...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/att-is-launching-a-new-app-to-manage-parental-control-features37336SimeonAT&T is launching a new app to manage parental control featuresShe-Ra’s showrunner on villains, heroes, and the show’s controversial design

Noelle Stevenson has had a whirlwind career, and like so many other young artists these days, it started online. In 2012, while still a student in art school, she started Nimona, a goofy webcomic about medieval knights, mad science, and a hero-villain duo whose picture book rivalry was complicated by the introduction of a shape-changing teenager with a taste for havoc.

Three years later, Nimona was a complete story, a dark, tragic fantasy published by HarperCollins that had a vocal and enthusiastic online fandom. Stevenson had graduated from college, interned at the comics company Boom! Studios Comics, co-created the ongoing Lumberjanes comic series, then moved into television writing, most notably on Craig McCracken’s animated series W...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/she-ras-showrunner-on-villains-heroes-and-the-shows-controversial-design37327SimeonShe-Ra’s showrunner on villains, heroes, and the show’s controversial designAmazon made a (RED) version of the second-gen Echo

Amazon is offering the second-generation Echo in red, in support of Product (RED) and its humanitarian efforts to combat HIV / AIDS. Similar to the arrangement it first offered last year, Amazon will donate $10 to the charity for each red Echo sold.

The specs are the same as any other second-generation Echo, except that it’s covered in red fabric. It costs $99.99 and is available for preorder now, although it officially launches on December 5th. It’s going to be discounted during Black Friday, though — down to $69, with $10 still going toward the charity — so that sounds like the better bargain.

Amazon again joins Apple, one of the longest-running Product (RED) participants that has in previous years developed a special red iPhone 7 and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-made-a-red-version-of-the-second-gen-echo37328SimeonAmazon made a (RED) version of the second-gen EchoTP-Link’s new smart outlet is actually an outlet — and that’s why it’s smart

This summer, I replaced every single power outlet in my house with a tamper-resistant one. You do things like that when you’ve got a curious two-year-old.

But I kind of wish I’d waited — because TP-Link is quietly making a smart outlet that could let me control my wall sockets with a tap on my phone. Or with Alexa / Google Assistant voice controls, which I personally prefer.

I’m talking about the TP-Link Kasa KP200 Smart Wi-Fi Power Outlet, which just passed through the FCC’s certification database this morning. It hasn’t yet been formally announced, so we’re not sure when (or even if) it’ll arrive or what it’ll cost, but the user manual shows that it’s a genuine one-gang, two-socket, three-prong power outlet you can control with a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tp-links-new-smart-outlet-is-actually-an-outlet-and-thats-why-its-smart37314SimeonTP-Link’s new smart outlet is actually an outlet — and that’s why it’s smartFacebook will reduce reach of ‘sensationalist and provocative’ content

Facebook is once again tweaking how stories spread through the News Feed, this time going after posts that are “sensationalist and provocative.” The goal isn’t just to cut down on clickbait, but to cut down on misinformation and problematic posts that don’t quite warrant an outright ban on the site.

In a blog post, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg writes that people naturally engage more with sensationalist content. Engagement with this content, he says, increases the closer it gets to being so problematic that it has to be banned.

“Borderline content” like offensive speech will see less distribution

So instead of moving the line of what’s banned, Facebook is going to alter its distribution algorithms. Posts that Facebook’s AI detects as...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-will-reduce-reach-of-sensationalist-and-provocative-content37315SimeonFacebook will reduce reach of ‘sensationalist and provocative’ contentNo one at Facebook seems to know who hired a DC opposition research firm

One of the bigger bombshells in The New York Times’ massive Facebook investigation published yesterday was that the company had hired an opposition research and consulting firm known as Definers Public Affairs, which it said had created deceptive news posts and pushed them onto a network of conservative websites. Now, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says he has no idea who hired them.

Definers was hired as part of a lobbying effort intended to counter mounting criticisms of Facebook over the past year. The firm’s role, among other things, included circulating a document tying a prominent anti-Facebook group to financing from billionaire George Soros. Efforts to link liberal causes to Soros are a tactic often used by the alt-right and other...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/no-one-at-facebook-seems-to-know-who-hired-a-dc-opposition-research-firm37316SimeonNo one at Facebook seems to know who hired a DC opposition research firmPlayStation is skipping E3 2019

PlayStation is officially skipping E3 2019, according to an announcement from Sony. This marks the first time in the 24-year history of E3 that the gaming giant won’t attend the show, via Variety.

In a statement released to Game Informer, Sony confirmed that it will be skipping the annual conference, commenting, “As the industry evolves, Sony Interactive Entertainment continues to look for inventive opportunities to engage the community. PlayStation fans mean the world to us and we always want to innovate, think differently and experiment with new ways to delight gamers. As a result, we have decided not to participate in E3 in 2019. We are exploring new and familiar ways to engage our community in 2019 and can’t wait to share our plans...

It’s been seven days since Fox News stopped tweeting. On air, the stories continue unabated, and Facebook, posts continue to appear. It’s only the network’s Twitter account — where it has more than 18 million followers — that’s gone silent. About a day after Fox News went dark, reporters took notice and asked the obvious: why?

It’s an important question. Though Twitter doesn’t rake in traffic for news outlets like Google or Facebook do, the platform is still prioritized by reporters because it drives conversation elsewhere due to the large number of influential people who use the social network to consume news. It’s a distribution channel that matters. The answer to the question, according to many, can be found by way of an event that...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fox-news-is-mad-at-twitter-for-responding-too-slowly-to-tucker-carlson-doxx37318SimeonFox News is mad at Twitter for responding too slowly to Tucker Carlson doxxKyocera’s new rugged phone has a sapphire screen and a fingerprint sensor

From the makers of the soap-proof, washable phone, comes another phone that’s tough in a different way. The Verizon-exclusive DuraForce Pro 2 is Kyocera’s newest rugged phone, and it comes with more features than your average rugged phone, which usually do the bare minimum of taking phone calls and pictures, but you could drop a boulder on it. Rugged phones these days like the DuraForce Pro 2 have a 5-inch sapphire shield display, a fingerprint sensor in the power key, and charges via USB-C and wirelessly. Things are different now.

The DuraForce Pro 2 has three cameras: a wide-angle 4K rear action camera, a 13MP rear-facing camera, and a 5MP front-facing camera. There’s a 3,240mAh battery, and it’s IP68 certified to be waterproof and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/kyoceras-new-rugged-phone-has-a-sapphire-screen-and-a-fingerprint-sensor37306SimeonKyocera’s new rugged phone has a sapphire screen and a fingerprint sensorMajor directors, actors petition Warner Bros. to save FilmStruck

Some of the biggest directors working in Hollywood, from Christopher Nolan to Alfonso Cuarón and Guillermo del Toro, are asking Warner Bros. to save the classic-film streaming service FilmStruck.

Just under 20 directors and actors have signed an open letter to Warner Bros. chairman Toby Emmerich urging the executive to re-evaluate a decision made by WarnerMedia — Warner Bros.’ parent company, which is in the process of merging with AT&T — to end support for the streaming service. It’s one of many streaming services, among them comedy hub Super Deluxe and Korean drama service DramaFever, that WarnerMedia has decided to stop supporting as the acquisition occurs and WarnerMedia gears up to launch its own standalone streaming package. The...

A coalition of Facebook critics has filed a complaint against the company with the Federal Trade Commission, asking the agency to investigate this year’s breach of 30 million user accounts.

In September, the company first announced that 50 million users had their accounts improperly accessed because of a flaw in a Facebook feature, but it later revised the figure down. The company said hackers accessed data ranging from basic contact information to more sensitive information, like demographics and recent searches.

“Facebook, Inc. is a serial privacy violator.”

The complaint was filed today by the Freedom From Facebook Coalition, which has pushed for the breakup of the company.

Razer’s BlackWidow keyboard is probably the company’s most well-known gaming keyboard, and now it’s getting a more professionally focused version with the BlackWidow Lite.

The BlackWidow Lite is a mechanical keyboard, which may raise an eyebrow for those who have co-workers who don’t enjoy the clatter of keys, but the company says that its using its Razer Orange switches for “near-silent, tactile feedback.” The keyboard also comes with additional o-rings for the keys to help cut out even more noise, if that’s your thing.

The rest of the BlackWidow Lite is pretty standard for a Razer keyboard. There’s illuminated keys that can be synced with Razer’s Synapse app (although they’re sadly just white LEDs, not the usual rainbow). And while...

Google will update Wear OS with several quality-of-life improvements, including the ability to quickly power down your watch and a new battery saver mode. The update is called “H,” and it will roll out to Wear OS smartwatches over the next few months, as detailed in a Google support blog spotted by Droid Life.

With the new update, Wear OS watches will have another way of conserving battery once the charge drops under 10 percent: you’ll be able to turn on Battery Saver Mode and use your watch only to tell time. It will basically become just a regular not-so smart-watch until you charge it again or switch the mode off. The Apple Watch already does this with the Power Reserve mode, and Snapdragon 3100 watches also offer this battery-saving...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/googles-latest-wear-os-update-will-help-your-smartwatch-last-longer37294SimeonGoogle’s latest Wear OS update will help your smartwatch last longerFCC paves the way for improved GPS accuracy

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) paved the way for improved GPS and location accuracy today, approving an order that will allow US phones to access a European satellite system.

The order allows non-federal consumer devices to access the European Union’s version of GPS, which is also known as Galileo. The system is available globally, and it officially went live in 2016. By opening up access, devices that can retrieve a signal from both Galileo and the US GPS system will see improved timing estimates and location reliability. The iPhone 8 was the first Apple product to support it. Other phone models from Huawei and Samsung support the system, too.

“This breakthrough serves the public interest across many areas of our economy.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fcc-paves-the-way-for-improved-gps-accuracy37295SimeonFCC paves the way for improved GPS accuracySamsung will only allow free themes to be used for 14 days starting with Android 9 Pie update

Samsung is headed towards a controversial change that impacts customers who like customizing their Galaxy smartphones with third-party themes. The company has begun sending a notification to users that warns beginning with Android 9 Pie, which Samsung plans to launch in January, it will only permit free themes to be used for 14 days. After that, the phone will automatically revert back to Samsung’s stock theme. The Verge has confirmed the notification firsthand, after Droid Life and SamMobile reported on it.

Users will receive two pop-up notifications before their free theme is removed; the first will be displayed 24 hours before the 14-day expiration. The second will hit 10 minutes prior to the cutoff. Samsung says it’ll “provide...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsung-will-only-allow-free-themes-to-be-used-for-14-days-starting-with-android-9-pie-update37296SimeonSamsung will only allow free themes to be used for 14 days starting with Android 9 Pie updateFacebook will create an independent oversight group to review content moderation appeals

Facebook will create an independent oversight body to adjudicate appeals on content moderation issues, the company said today. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a call with reporters that the group, which will be formed in the next year, will attempt to balance an effort to expand the right to free speech with the need to keep people safe around the world.

“I believe independence is important for a few reasons,” Zuckerberg said in a note posted to Facebook. “First, it will prevent the concentration of too much decision-making within our teams. Second, it will create accountability and oversight. Third, it will provide assurance that these decisions are made in the best interests of our community and not for commercial reasons.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-will-create-an-independent-oversight-group-to-review-content-moderation-appeals37297SimeonFacebook will create an independent oversight group to review content moderation appeals Microsoft is discounting the Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and Xbox One for Black Friday

Microsoft is offering much of its Surface lineup of PCs at a discount just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. What’s perhaps better than an outright deal is that most of these Surface promotions come bundled with a Type Cover, giving whoever receives it as a gift more versatility out of the box than these Windows 10 machines usually offer. You’ll also find deals on laptops made by the likes of HP, Dell, and others, along with some appealing discounts on all things Xbox.

We’ll be adding and removing deals to reflect what’s currently available.

Surface computers

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-is-discounting-the-surface-pro-6-surface-laptop-2-and-xbox-one-for-black-friday37298SimeonMicrosoft is discounting the Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and Xbox One for Black FridayAll the best tech deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2018

]]>https://techfishnews.com/all-the-best-tech-deals-on-black-friday-and-cyber-monday-201837299SimeonAll the best tech deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2018Facebook removed a lot of spam, violence, and fake accounts this year

Facebook’s latest transparency report shows a big jump in spam and violent content takedowns, some advances in proactively identifying hate speech, and the first numbers for bullying, harassment, and child sexual exploitation takedowns. The report was released as Facebook fends off numerous accusations of incompetent or underhanded behavior. In it, Facebook emphasizes its attempts to remove bad content before users ever see it, while fielding an ever-growing number of requests from governments.

This marks the release of Facebook’s second “community standards” transparency report, alongside the more traditional reports about copyright takedown notices and government data requests. Facebook took down far more pieces of unacceptable content...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-removed-a-lot-of-spam-violence-and-fake-accounts-this-year37300Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/L9o4C1PSnTrccbwRLd3UQ6Qari8=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62337096/acastro_180522_facebook_0002.0.jpgFacebook removed a lot of spam, violence, and fake accounts this yearFCC approves SpaceX’s plan to launch more than 7,000 internet-beaming satellites

The Federal Communications Commission has approved SpaceX’s request to launch a constellation of 7,518 satellites into orbit, a major regulatory hurdle the company needed to clear in its plans to provide internet coverage from space. The approval is in addition to one that SpaceX received from the FCC in March for a constellation of 4,425 satellites. That means the company now has permission to launch its full satellite internet constellation called Starlink, which adds up to nearly 12,000 spacecraft.

Starlink is SpaceX’s ambitious project to provide constant, global internet coverage from orbit. The spacecraft in the constellation are meant to do a synchronized dance above the Earth, allowing for every part of the Earth’s surface to...

One of the biggest draws of Fallout 76 is the introduction of nuke launches, the player-triggered events that create both powerful enemies and great rewards. While the detonation of a nuke seemed inevitable, one day after the official game release, a group of Fallout 76 players has already fought in the most difficult armageddon possible.

Nukes, which can be thought of as Fallout 76’s version of raids, are not easy to facilitate. In order to detonate one, players must find a nuclear silo location and then gather the appropriate launch codes for the silo. These codes are randomly spawned by tough enemies, which means that it can take a significant amount of time to get everything you need just to start the event. It helps to group up,...

Final Cut Pro X, Apple’s professional video-editing software, is adding some updates today that will integrate third-party apps directly within the editing interface. Though third-party plug-ins and special effects have already been available for the software, today’s news opens up Final Cut Pro X for third-party app developers to further streamline the editing workflow. “This is the first time we are allowing third-party app integrations at this level that tie so tightly to the FCPX engine,” an Apple spokesperson said.

Apple is calling these third-party integrations “workflow extensions,” which match the Final Cut Pro X interface and allow editors to drag media between libraries, add clip markers, and sync playback between the apps and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-adds-third-party-app-integration-to-final-cut-pro-x37289SimeonApple adds third-party app integration to Final Cut Pro XA Facebook patent would use your family photos to target ads

Facebook has filed a patent that would make it easier to target whole families with ads by analyzing the photos they post. The application, filed on May 10th and published today, covers an algorithm that would identify elements of photographs — like faces or other details— and cross-reference them with other data to build a profile of an entire household. If Facebook chose to implement the system, it would supplement a family targeting program that launched last year.

Facebook can already analyze lots of information to tell who’s in the same household. According to Marketing Land, it checks the relationships people list on their profiles, whether people list the same last names or locations, and shared life events or event check-ins,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/a-facebook-patent-would-use-your-family-photos-to-target-ads37275SimeonA Facebook patent would use your family photos to target adsApple targets Qualcomm employees with new job listings

Apple and Qualcomm have been in a heated dispute for the last two years, and now Apple is taking another small jab at the company by opening up jobs that seem to be designed to grab employees from the chipmaking giant.

Bloomberg spotted that Apple has opened 10 job listings this month for chipmaking positions in San Diego. That’s where Qualcomm is based, and according to the report, Apple has never searched for chip engineers there before. It also suggests that Apple could be opening up another regional office for chip designers.

Apple’s new modem supplier has lagged behind Qualcomm

Of course, there’s nothing unusual about trying to hire employees from a top-tier rival. It’s an obvious move for Apple, which prides itself on designing...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-targets-qualcomm-employees-with-new-job-listings37276SimeonApple targets Qualcomm employees with new job listingsBlumhouse is making eight thriller features for Amazon

Blumhouse Television, Jason Blum’s acclaimed production company, is planning to produce eight feature-length thrillers for Amazon’s streaming service. Varietyreports that the projects will all be “‘elevated’ thrillers or stories with dark themes,” and they’ll be directed by filmmakers with “diverse backgrounds.” (Maybe this is an opportunity for Blum to rectify his company’s poor track record of working with women.) Blumhouse has previously worked with filmmakers such as Joel Edgerton, Jon M. Chu, and Jordan Peele.

Blum founded the company in 2000 and has since made a name for himself with low-budget, low-risk, high-concept films like the Paranormal Activity, Purge, and Insidious franchises, as well as the Oscar-nominated hits Get Out...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/blumhouse-is-making-eight-thriller-features-for-amazon37277SimeonBlumhouse is making eight thriller features for AmazonBombshell Facebook report raises new campaign finance questions

At a Senate Judiciary markup on Thursday morning, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said she will send a letter to Facebook and the Justice Department regarding concerns raised yesterday that the company might be violating campaign finance rules. Her criticism follows an explosive report from TheNew York Times yesterday that documents how Facebook’s leaders handled the fallout of the 2016 election.

At the markup, Klobuchar said that she was concerned that Facebook reportedly hired an opposition research firm in the aftermath of the 2016 election “to go after its critics.” The Times story named a Republican firm called the Definers Corporation, which was reportedly hired to target the company’s critics and competitors by tying protestors to the...

The Pixel 3 was just released last month, but if you waited until November to buy one, you’ll be rewarded with up to a $200 price cut. Additionally, for Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year, Google’s sales will also center on accessories for the home, including the new Google Home Hub, Nest devices, and Chromecast dongles. While the newly announced Pixel Slate will not receive a discount, there are some deals on laptops like the Pixelbook and Chromebooks.

Here’s a look at what you can expect to save on at the Google Store and beyond.

The best Google product to buy on Black Friday

Google Home Hub, the company’s inevitable Google Assistant on a screen, is one of the better deals from Google this season. At $99, that $50 savings makes it...

Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially announced plans to limit the sale of sweet-flavored e-cigarette products in places where people under the age of 18 can freely shop. The agency will also take aim at flavored cigars and menthol-flavored cigarettes in an effort to keep kids from getting hooked on anyproducts that contain nicotine.

This isn’t a complete ban on flavored e-cigarette products, and it’s weaker than the proposal that was teased last week before the FDA officially announced it. Pods in traditional tobacco flavors, as well as mint and menthol, can stay on the shelves of convenience stores and gas stations. Stores can sell flavored products only if they don’t let in underage consumers, or if the products...

Many Black Friday deals will begin as Thanksgiving is winding down in the US on Thursday, November 22nd, and they will continue through the weekend. But if you want to get some shopping done even earlier so you can focus more on eating food and spending time with your friends and family over the holidays, several retailers are offering some really good deals in advance of the big shopping weekend.

If you’re looking for a discount on absolutely everything on your list, you’ll definitely want to stay tuned to The Verge for the latest price drops throughout the week. But if you want to dip into the deals now, we’ve sifted through what’s coming to share what you can get for less starting today.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/you-can-get-some-big-discounts-before-black-friday-2018-begins37259SimeonYou can get some big discounts before Black Friday 2018 beginsWe visited the world’s largest cannabis dispensary

]]>https://techfishnews.com/we-visited-the-worlds-largest-cannabis-dispensary37260SimeonWe visited the world’s largest cannabis dispensaryTidal is now available on Amazon Echo speakers

Tidal, the Jay Z-owned music streaming service with an emphasis on audio quality, is now available on Amazon Echo devices. The streaming service comes via an Alexa skill, and it will require a Tidal subscription to use it.

Tidal is the first music streaming service to make use of Amazon’s Music Skill API, an initiative announced in September that allows streaming services to build in support for Alexa rather than needing to rely on Amazon. Previously, music streaming services, including Spotify, Deezer, and Pandora, have all supported playback using Alexa, but they’ve needed involvement from Amazon to get these working.

Although Tidal’s unique selling point has always been its optional hi-fi audio quality, hardware limitations mean...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tidal-is-now-available-on-amazon-echo-speakers37261SimeonTidal is now available on Amazon Echo speakersInstagram will now let users shop items from video posts

Instagram is continuing to build out its shopping features today with the announcement of three new product updates. Users will soon be able to shop videos they see in their feed; save items to a specific “shopping collection” in their saved posts; and also shop business profiles more easily. The features all point to Instagram creating a more fully formed experience where users can do a large portion of their shopping through the platform, just in time for the holidays this year.

The new shopping collection area in saved posts looks a lot like an online store, except with items you particularly like. (You can see it above.) The posts are all arranged in neat rows so you can scroll through whatever you saved in the event that you want to...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/instagram-will-now-let-users-shop-items-from-video-posts37262SimeonInstagram will now let users shop items from video postsAT&T is inviting DirecTV Now users to test its upcoming streaming box

AT&T is inviting DirecTV Now users to sign up for a chance to test its upcoming streaming set-top box. The company sent an email to select DirecTV Now subscribers this morning, asking them to sign up to test the device for “about six months.” AT&T Communications CEO John Donovan announced that the device was in beta last month and said the company was planning to begin trials in early 2019.

According to AT&T, the device will automatically launch DirecTV Now when turned on, users will be able to download content from the Google Play Store, and it will come with Google Assistant support so users can control the device with their voice. According to leaked FCC filings reported by Variety last year, the device will run Android TV, support...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/att-is-inviting-directv-now-users-to-test-its-upcoming-streaming-box37246SimeonAT&T is inviting DirecTV Now users to test its upcoming streaming box You can now buy a SIM-free iPhone XR

Apple is now offering unlocked iPhone XR devices that are sold without a SIM card in the US, as spotted by MacRumors. Customers can buy unlocked, SIM-free phones without having to choose a carrier, which will allow them to choose which wireless network they want to use later on and easily switch between providers.

The iPhone XS was available to purchase without SIM cards at launch, but the iPhone XR was initially tied to carriers to prioritize the supply for its wireless network partners and users on upgrade plans. It’s also predicted by analysts to outperform the iPhone XS in sales, as it’s Apple’s most affordable 2018 phone, and it shares many of the same specs as the more expensive flagship. The SIM-free phones are also right on time...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/you-can-now-buy-a-sim-free-iphone-xr37247SimeonYou can now buy a SIM-free iPhone XRTinder introduces Swipe Surge to alert users of high activity nearby

Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps out there, but it goes through its periods of lulls and highs throughout the day. There’s also likely to be more activity during a concentrated event (like a music festival or even the Olympic Games) than on a random November Sunday night.

The company understands this, and it’s introducing a new feature today called Swipe Surge. The concept is simple: if there’s an abnormally high amount of people using the app in one specific area, Tinder will tell people who are nearby. To receive announcements about surges in traffic, users must turn push notifications on. Those who participate in Swipe Surge will also have their profile immediately boosted to the front of the line, which is a perk that...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tinder-introduces-swipe-surge-to-alert-users-of-high-activity-nearby37248SimeonTinder introduces Swipe Surge to alert users of high activity nearbyWatch SpaceX launch and land a used Falcon 9 rocket

After a month-long break from spaceflight, SpaceX is slated to perform another rocket launch and landing out of Florida this afternoon, sending up a communications satellite for the country of Qatar. It will mark SpaceX’s 18th mission in 2018, which will tie the company’s record in 2017 for the most launches done in a year. SpaceX still has a handful of missions planned for this year, making it pretty likely that the company will set a new all-time high soon.

For this mission, SpaceX is employing another one of its used rockets, a Falcon 9 booster that launched the Telstar 19 VANTAGE satellite in July. After that mission, the rocket landed on one of SpaceX’s autonomous drone ships in the Atlantic Ocean, and the company hopes to pull off...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/watch-spacex-launch-and-land-a-used-falcon-9-rocket37249Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mKOGNDcffg2wj0_Var44VzEYHzg=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62335085/42025498972_8720104d8a_o__1_.0.jpgWatch SpaceX launch and land a used Falcon 9 rocketFortnite’s frantic food fight is its best mode yet

New modes slip in and out of Fortnite at an incredible pace. There’s been everything from dance battles to jewel heists. Then, before you know it, they’re gone. These limited-time modes, or LTMs as developer Epic calls them, are often fun experiments that don’t necessarily say much about the direction of the game as a whole. But I hope that isn’t the case with food fight, which debuted yesterday. It’s a wonderful new team battle that emphasizes all of the best parts of Fortnite, and it’s the most fun I’ve had in the game in a long time.

Epic has actually been teasing food fight for some time. There have been Twitter polls and tiny changes to the map that emphasized a grudge between the fast food chains Durr Burger and Pizza Pit. In the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fortnites-frantic-food-fight-is-its-best-mode-yet37236SimeonFortnite’s frantic food fight is its best mode yet11 new sci-fi and fantasy books to check out in late November

Over the course of this column, I usually open with a couple of books that I’ve been reading recently alongside what’s to come. I’ve been making a concerted effort to read more — and to read widely — and while I do pick up a number of novels or novellas, I’ve been doing the same with another avenue: short fiction.

Flash fiction, short stories, and novelettes don’t usually get the same amount of attention as their longer counterparts, which is a shame. There’s a lot of creative and innovative storytelling taking place at that 100- to 25,000-word level. Authors can’t spend page after page on descriptions; they have to hone their characters and plot to get right to the point. It’s refreshing, especially when 800- to 1,000-page epic fantasy...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/11-new-sci-fi-and-fantasy-books-to-check-out-in-late-november37237Simeon11 new sci-fi and fantasy books to check out in late NovemberTikTok surges past 6M downloads in the US as celebrities join the app

TikTok is one of the world’s most popular apps, recently surpassing 6 million users in the US and landing in the top spot on Apple’s App Store in the United States.

Now, more celebrities are joining the app, which allows people to upload their own videos using a variety of editing tools and filters. Jimmy Fallon and Tony Hawk have both joined, using the app to participate in current trends to try to connect with a larger audience.

Fallon’s decision to join should come as no surprise to those who are up to speed with his presence on Instagram. Fallon often uses Instagram stories to host Live Q&A sessions or post Tonight Show updates. His show also has a big presence on YouTube. TikTok is just another platform he can use to engage with...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tiktok-surges-past-6m-downloads-in-the-us-as-celebrities-join-the-app37238SimeonTikTok surges past 6M downloads in the US as celebrities join the app Lyft adds driver-friendly features including default tipping option

Lyft is making it easier for riders to tip their drivers, with new features for the Lyft app that allow tipping-by-default and tipping mid-journey.

The option to tip by default will let customers set a percentage for tips that will be added automatically to all journeys if they don’t “proactively rate a trip and add a tip themselves.” The mid-journey tipping option simply does what it says: letting customers tip before their ride is over. These updates will be available for “select riders” in December, and rolling out to more customers in the New Year.

Updates designed to keep Lyft drivers happy

Alongside the tipping options, Lyft announced a pair of new features aimed at drivers, not riders. The first is an updated driver home screen....

Roku’s wireless speakers designed to work exclusively with Roku TVs will ship beginning tomorrow, the company announced today. The set, which includes two speakers, a Roku voice remote, and the new Roku Touch tabletop remote, will sell for $200. But if you purchase between this coming Sunday and Cyber Monday, Roku is discounting it down to $150.

The speakers work wirelessly and don’t need to be plugged directly into a Roku TV. That’s the benefit of Roku having control over both the hardware and TV’s software. (You will need to plug each speaker into its own outlet, however.) The company has built a number of features into the speakers like automatic volume leveling, night mode (which reduces loud sounds), and speech clarity. Aside from...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/roku-tv-wireless-speakers-launch-november-16th-for-20037240SimeonRoku TV Wireless Speakers launch November 16th for $200How to choose the best camera for you

There are plenty of cameras in the sea, and not all are made equally. Maybe you’re looking to build up your professional portfolio, you want to stick to an OG film camera for that classic look, or maybe you’re just looking for something to up your Instagram game. The first step to finding out which camera is right for you is asking yourself what you’ll use it for most often and how much money you want to spend.

For the amateur photographers

If your latest iPhone or Pixel cameras aren’t cutting it for your ‘grams and you want to take it that extra step, my personal favorite is the Sony RX100 Mark IV. For around $1,000, it can take photos in RAW, quickly pair with your phone, and shoot really nice 4K videos. One of my favorite features is...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/how-to-choose-the-best-camera-for-you37241SimeonHow to choose the best camera for youMicrosoft Surface Headphones review: all the style without the polishSimple in look and sophisticated in function but suboptimal in practice

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-surface-headphones-review-all-the-style-without-the-polish37242SimeonMicrosoft Surface Headphones review: all the style without the polishGoogle’s Thanksgiving report can help you avoid traffic and crowds

With millions of people traveling long distances to visit family and friends, Thanksgiving traffic can be a complete nightmare. Google Maps already offers information about how congested the roads are on typical days, and now the team has produced a report specifically for Thanksgiving that shows the busiest periods before and after the holiday. In addition to traffic, the report also shows historically busy times at shopping centers and movie theaters so you can avoid the lines.

The report’s conclusions about the busiest times to travel won’t be a surprise. Between 3PM and 4PM on Wednesday is the worst time to travel, but Friday and Saturday afternoons also have spikes. If you need to travel, Google recommends that you make your journey...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/googles-thanksgiving-report-can-help-you-avoid-traffic-and-crowds37223SimeonGoogle’s Thanksgiving report can help you avoid traffic and crowdsMicrosoft’s Xbox Black Friday deals include up to 75 percent off 500 games

Microsoft is dropping its Xbox One X console to $399 for Black Friday, but the company is also discounting 500 Xbox games during the holiday period. Starting today, Xbox Live Gold members will be able to access the discounts early, including an additional 10 percent to bring it up to 75 percent off titles.

There are 500 games discounted in total, including 154 Xbox 360 titles and add-ons. Most of the Xbox 360 games are backward compatible, and some are even enhanced for the latest Xbox One X hardware. While Call of Duty Black Ops 4 and Red Dead Redemption 2 only just launched, Microsoft is offering deals on both. Call of Duty is 20 percent off for Xbox Live Gold members, and Red Dead Redemption 2 gets a 10 percent discount. The ultimate...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsofts-xbox-black-friday-deals-include-up-to-75-percent-off-500-games37224SimeonMicrosoft’s Xbox Black Friday deals include up to 75 percent off 500 gamesFord’s self-driving cars are really good, but are they good enough to win?

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fords-self-driving-cars-are-really-good-but-are-they-good-enough-to-win37210SimeonFord’s self-driving cars are really good, but are they good enough to win?Facebook has a growing morale problem

For some time now, Facebook has copped to being “slow.”

Confronted with any question about Russian interference on the platform, or the scourge of misinformation, Facebook has gotten comfortable saying it was “slow to recognize” the problem, before rattling off a list of every step it has since taken to solve it.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-has-a-growing-morale-problem37211SimeonFacebook has a growing morale problemTelltale Games is reportedly closing down for good as games disappear

Telltale Games is reportedly closing for good and selling off all its assets, according to a report by GameDaily. The co-founder of Sherwood Partners confirmed to the site that it would be handling the liquidation, and a former employee reported that their post employment healthcare insurance will stop at the end of November rather than after 18 months as was expected. Copies of the “Assignment for the benefit of creditors” agreement (a non-court process similar to bankruptcy) and letters to creditors have also emerged, and a number of the company’s games are no longer for sale on Steam.

The developments bring to an end the slow decline of Telltale Games, which has been rocked by scandal after scandal in its final year of existence. At...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/telltale-games-is-reportedly-closing-down-for-good-as-games-disappear37208SimeonTelltale Games is reportedly closing down for good as games disappearGoogle shuts down bipedal robot team Schaft

Google continues to scale back its robot ambitions with the news that it’s shutting down Schaft, a little-known Japanese robotics team purchased by Alphabet back in 2013.

Schaft was best known for its work developing advanced bipedal robotics. The firm had its origins in the University of Tokyo’s robotics lab, where engineers built bio-inspired robot legs with metal bones, muscles, and tendons. The team later moved to more conventional systems, modifying industrial robotics hardware to be more powerful and precise.

In 2013, the lab spin-off, Schaft, competed in (and won) DARPA’s Robotics Challenge, which tests robots’ ability to navigate disaster scenarios. The team claimed that their custom actuators (basically a robot’s muscles) were...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-shuts-down-bipedal-robot-team-schaft37209SimeonGoogle shuts down bipedal robot team Schaft Raspberry Pi made a cheaper version of its most powerful PC

The Raspberry Pi Foundation’s goal is to make computing as cheap and accessible as possible, so today, it’s introducing a new $25 computer that shares many of the highlights as its top-of-the-line $35 device.

The new model, called the Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+, uses the same quad-core 1.4GHz Broadcom processor as the high-end Model B+. It also has the same support for Bluetooth 4.2 as well as 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, making it easy to use anywhere there’s a connection.

Wi-Fi is the real highlight here

But a few specs are being cut back to account for the $10 price reduction. There’s no longer an Ethernet port (you have to use Wi-Fi), there’s only 512MB of RAM instead of 1GB, and it drops to just one USB 2.0 port instead of four.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/raspberry-pi-made-a-cheaper-version-of-its-most-powerful-pc37205SimeonRaspberry Pi made a cheaper version of its most powerful PCSharp made a phone with two notches

Last year Sharp released the Aquos R Compact, a phone with a tiny camera notch on the top edge and a humongous bezel on the bottom for a fingerprint sensor. It didn’t look great. But for this year’s model, the company has hit upon a novel solution to increase the screen size while keeping the fingerprint sensor. Yep, that’s right, the Aquos R2 Compact has another notch.

The screen is a 5.2-inch 2280 x 1080 IGZO LCD that wraps around the camera and the fingerprint sensor. It doesn’t quite go as far to the bottom of the device as it does on the other three edges, but it’s a big improvement on the previous design. And for the size, this will be one of the most powerful phones available anywhere — it has a Snapdragon 845 processor with 4GB...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/sharp-made-a-phone-with-two-notches37198SimeonSharp made a phone with two notchesLG’s 2018 4K HDR OLED televisions are cheaper than ever at B&H Photo

Today only or until supplies last, a batch of LG OLED televisions that rarely see a steep discount are hundreds off at B&H Photo. These are the best deals we’ve seen on 4K HDR OLED TVs ahead of Black Friday yet, and you can save on the purchase by entering the offer code LGDAY at checkout.

First announced at CES 2018 and released shortly thereafter, LG’s latest OLED television lineup features ThinQ AI integration (which means that it works well with other LG ThinQ appliances) and new WebOS software features, like the voice-activated Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, and support for high frame rates (HFR) up to 120fps, to name a few. The C8 is at the high end of the offering, and sits ever so slightly above the B8 in that it features...

The latest high-profile public figure to criticize the deal New York made with Amazon to bring half of the company’s new headquarters to Long Island City, Queens is none other than New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Announced on Tuesday, Amazon ended a months-long search for a second headquarters by choosing to expand two existing satellite offices in New York City and Arlington, Virginia, disappointing the hundreds of cities and regions in the US that vied to secure the promised 50,000 jobs and the income tax and infrastructure spending it could bring with it.

Alongside fellow New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, Gillibrand was silent all yesterday and today following the announcement while backlash built against the decision to cut Amazon more...

Earlier today, 9to5Google pointed us to a blog post from Google announcing a new feature for Google Maps: messaging businesses. After it rolls out to iPhone and Android users, there will be a new “messages” button on the left-hand slide out drawer that lets you message the businesses you find in Google Maps.

A business that wants to participate will need to use Google’s “My Business” verification system and its associated app to send and receive messages. That app was just overhauled, as Adweek notes — making it more of a one-stop shop for small businesses to update their information for Google and to chat with customers.

I’m just going to tell you right now that I have several conflicting feelings about this new feature and we’re...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-maps-will-let-you-chat-with-businesses37186SimeonGoogle Maps will let you chat with businesses An Italian volcano’s massive eruptions fit a pattern — and the cycle may have restarted

New research indicates that a volcano near Naples, Italy might be in the early stages of gearing up for an eruption large enough to change the area’s landscape.

The study, published today in Science Advances, may be of particular interest to the 1.5 million people living within the bounds of the volcanic complex. Fortunately for them, there’s no indication that this massive event will happen any time soon. Volcanic eruptions like this can take thousands of years to develop, and there’s no way for volcanologists to tell when, or even if, this particular type of eruption will occur. Still, it’s a fascinating and rare look at the innards of one of the most dramatic phenomena on Earth.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/an-italian-volcanos-massive-eruptions-fit-a-pattern-and-the-cycle-may-have-restarted37174SimeonAn Italian volcano’s massive eruptions fit a pattern — and the cycle may have restartedInstagram starts rolling out dashboard that shows how much time you spend on it

Back in August, Facebook and Instagram announced they would introduce new activity dashboards that tracked how much time users spent inside the apps, but the features never materialized. Now, Instagram has finally started rolling out its own “Your Activity” feature, which includes tools for setting daily time limits and the option to temporarily mute push notifications. The feature can be found inside the hamburger icon on the upper right corner of your profile page, and from there it’s found under “Your Activity.”

Along with Apple introducing Screen Time on iOS and Google releasing a Digital Wellness dashboard with Android 9.0, tech companies are thinking about helping users better manage their time using apps.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/instagram-starts-rolling-out-dashboard-that-shows-how-much-time-you-spend-on-it37175SimeonInstagram starts rolling out dashboard that shows how much time you spend on itMark Zuckerberg ordered all Facebook executives to use Android phones

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg ordered his management team to only use Android phones, given that the operating system has more total users worldwide. According to TheNew York Times, the decision reportedly occurred after Apple CEO Tim Cook criticized Facebook in an MSNBC interview for being a service that traffics “in your personal life.”

In those comments made back in March, Cook dismissed a question asking him what he would do if he were in Zuckerberg’s shoes dealing with the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica scandal by saying, “I wouldn’t be in this situation.” Zuckerberg soon after retorted in an interview with Recodethat he found Cook’s comments to be “extremely glib,” and that “I think it’s important that we don’t all get...

In those comments made back in March, Cook dismissed a question asking him what he would do if he were in Zuckerberg’s shoes dealing with the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica scandal by saying, “I wouldn’t be in this situation.” Cook’s comments “infuriated” Zuckerberg, according to the NYT. In an interview with Recode, Zuck said he found Cook’s comments to be “extremely glib,” and that “I think it’s important that we don’t all get Stockholm syndrome and let the...

Two hackers have collected a bounty of $50,000 for finding an exploit in the iPhone X that lets you recover a previously deleted photo or file. During a mobile contest where hackers located bugs in iOS and Android, two hackers Richard Zhu and Amat Cama uncovered the vulnerability today and presented it in a demo. So far, Apple has been notified about the bug but it remains accessible at least until the next iOS update, as first reported by Forbes.

While the attack requires some access to the target device, researchers believe it could be deployed through a malicious Wi-Fi access point, putting it within reach for many attackers.

When you delete a photo on the iPhone X, iOS first prompts you with “This photo will be deleted from iCloud...

HMD Global has announced the Nokia 106, an affordable feature phone destined for the global market. The 106 has a 1.8-inch, 160x120 display that’s a perfect match for the built-in Snake game. (You’ll have to pay for others, though demos are included.) The phone can store up to 2000 contacts, and retain up to 500 SMS messages. Yes, these are the highlights advertised for a device like this.

HMD says the battery lasts “from sunrise to sunset with one charge,” which is something I’d honestly expect from a feature phone. That all-day battery life — 15.7 hours, to be specific — is for active use; the battery “lasts weeks” on standby. That’s 21.9 days, according to the spec sheet. If you want to use this thing solely as an FM radio, it’ll...

Felix “PewDiePie” Kjellberg has spent years as the biggest YouTuber on the video platform, so now that an Indian music channel called T-Series threatens to take the throne, the world is paying close attention to the man’s subscriber count. While T-Series’ YouTube dominance is likely just a matter of time, Kjellberg’s fans have gone into overdrive to make the overthrow take as long as possible. The fight has spilled out into the real world, thanks to a number of grassroots campaigns to raise awareness of Kjellberg’s channel.

The most high-profile advertising campaign for Kjellberg’s channel happened late last month, when YouTuber Mr. Beast transformed his entire city into a PewDiePie ad. The YouTuber, who regularly gives away huge swaths...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/pewdiepies-fans-are-fighting-hard-to-ensure-he-remains-the-biggest-youtuber37165SimeonPewDiePie’s fans are fighting hard to ensure he remains the biggest YouTuberPoliticians and protestors are looking for ways to stop Amazon’s New York HQ2

When New York’s governor and New York City’s mayor appeared alongside an Amazon executive yesterday to announce Amazon’s HQ2 setting up shop in the city, the mood was celebratory. But some locals are pushing back and considering what would need to happen to scuttle the deal.

Amazon’s decision to build a new facility in Long Island City, Queens, as well as in Northern Virginia, has been met with stiff resistance. Two local politicians, State Sen. Michael Gianaris and City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, have said an “unprecedented amounts of tax dollars” will be going to Amazon through tax incentive offers.

“Too much is at stake to accept this without a fight.”

“Too much is at stake to accept this without a fight,” the two said in a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/politicians-and-protestors-are-looking-for-ways-to-stop-amazons-new-york-hq237166SimeonPoliticians and protestors are looking for ways to stop Amazon’s New York HQ2Faraday Future employees sue investor over ‘conspiracy’ to destroy the EV startup

The battle between ailing electric car startup Faraday Future and its main investor, Chinese real estate giant Evergrande, escalated once again on Wednesday. Employees of the startup filed suit against Evergrande in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming the Chinese conglomerate committed “breaches” of its fiduciary duties as well as “other illegal conduct.” The plaintiffs also say Evergrande “plotted” from the beginning to send Faraday Future “off a financial cliff” in order to make off with the intellectual property associated with the startup’s forthcoming luxury electric vehicle, the FF91.

“If [Evergrande’s] conspiracy is allowed to come to fruition,” Faraday Future employees — many of whom have a stake in the company — will...

The LG Gram is one of the thinnest, lightest Windows laptops you can buy — also see: Acer’s Swift 7 — but now, it may be going places the new MacBook Air and its featherlight Windows rivals haven’t. Namely, all the way to 17 inches.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/lgs-featherweight-gram-may-stretch-to-a-macbook-beating-17-inches37154SimeonLG’s featherweight Gram may stretch to a MacBook-beating 17 inchesNikon’s Z6 mirrorless camera launches on November 16th for $2,000

Nikon’s first mirrorless camera, the Z7, launched back in September for $3,999.95. If you’ve been holding out for the cheaper Z6 model, your patience has been rewarded: it’ll hit stores on November 16th, starting at $1,999.95 for just the camera body or $2,599.95 for a bundle with a 24-70mm f/4 “kit” lens.

The pricing puts the Z6 right up against Sony’s similarly priced A7 III mirrorless camera, which has long been the go-to option, and it also starts at $2,000.

As for the Z6, it’s largely similar to the Z7, although it trades the 45.7-megapixel sensor, 493 focus points, and 64-25600 ISO from its pricier sibling for slightly lower specs of a 24.5-megapixel sensor, 273 focus points, and 100-51200 ISO. That said, the Z7 costs $1,400 more...

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, and over 70 other groups have asked Facebook to adopt a clearer “due process” system for content takedowns. An open letter to Mark Zuckerberg urges him to enact the Santa Clara Principles, a series of moderation guidelines that academics and nonprofits put forward earlier this year. “Civil society groups around the globe have criticized the way that Facebook’s Community Standards exhibit bias and are unevenly applied across different languages and cultural contexts,” the letter says. “Offering a remedy mechanism, as well as more transparency, will go a long way toward supporting user expression.”

The Santa Clara Principles are a minimum standard for online moderation

Are disappearing texts worse than disappearing photos? I don’t know, but both are things that consumers shouldn’t have to worry about when using a smartphone. Unfortunately, both are also things that some Google Pixel 3 owners have encountered. After Google acknowledged and said it would fix a bug that can lead to lost photos, there are also scattered reports from Google Pixel 3 users about their messages disappearing from Android Messages for no good reason. Android Police reported on the issue yesterday. It doesn’t sound like a rampant problem, but it’s still a pretty bad one.

Some of those affected think the November Android security update might be to blame, but others say that their messages vanished sometime last month. Perhaps...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-says-a-fix-is-coming-for-disappearing-text-messages-on-pixel-337157SimeonGoogle says a fix is coming for disappearing text messages on Pixel 3Apple has released a new version of the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock

Apple has added a new version of its Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock to the online Apple Store, as spotted by MacRumors. The new dock carries a separate model number from its predecessor, which has been removed from the store.

The dock has the exact same design as the one it replaced and there’s no mention from Apple as to why it introduced a newer model. There is an FCC filing for the dock, but it also doesn’t reveal what has changed in the accessory, as Apple requested the FCC withhold schematics and antenna specification to keep trade secrets confidential. It’s likely Apple made minor internal updates.

Apple’s updated Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock can be purchased on the Apple website for $79.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-has-released-a-new-version-of-the-apple-watch-magnetic-charging-dock37158SimeonApple has released a new version of the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging DockSkullcandy’s first truly wireless earbuds leak in FCC filings

True to the name, each Push earbud has a large button on the side, which can variously be used to change volume, skip tracks, and activate a smart assistant on your phone (honestly, check the manual for the list of button commands because there are a lot).

]]>https://techfishnews.com/skullcandys-first-truly-wireless-earbuds-leak-in-fcc-filings37146SimeonSkullcandy’s first truly wireless earbuds leak in FCC filingsThree new bands are coming for the Apple Watch Nike+

Nike has announced new Nike Sport band colors that are coming for the Apple Watch Nike+, as reported by 9to5Mac. The new bands include two Nike Sport Loop bands and one Nike Sport band that will be available to purchase starting on November 16th.

The forthcoming bands were spotted within the Nike shopping app for the iPhone. The Nike Sport Loop is adding “smokey mauve” and “celestial teal” colors, and both new colors are reflective, like other Nike Sport Loop bands. The new Nike Sport band will come in a color called “olive flak.”

The bands are shown with the Apple Watch Nike+, and there’s no mention of whether they will be sold separately. The bands will be available on Friday, November 16th but only in the Nike app for iPhone within...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/how-humans-are-transforming-the-hurricanes-of-the-future37148SimeonHow humans are transforming the hurricanes of the futureAmazon Music is now available on Xbox One consoles

Microsoft’s November update for Xbox One consoles brings a plethora of new capabilities and changes, including the ability to directly stream from Amazon Music.

The app is available for Xbox One users today for customers based in the United States, according to a press release. More countries are expected to be added “soon,” but there isn’t a firm launch date just yet. Amazon Music joins Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and YouTube as apps that people can use to stream music.

Amazon Prime members can use the new Xbox One app to stream from their library at no additional cost, according to Microsoft. The app is available in the Xbox Store now.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-music-is-now-available-on-xbox-one-consoles37149SimeonAmazon Music is now available on Xbox One consolesYouTube’s tech-noir series Origin is Lost… in space

A man wakes up abruptly, gasping in shock. He’s alone in an unexpected place. Something has clearly gone wrong with the trip he was on, but he won’t know just how wrong until he finds his fellow passengers. They’ll have to work together to manage their basic needs and unravel the mystery of why they didn’t arrive safely at their destination. But can they trust each other, given their various unsavory backgrounds, which will largely be revealed by a series of flashbacks? On Lost, this man’s name is Jack Shephard. But in YouTube Premium’s new space series Origin, it’s Shun Kenzaki (Sen Mitsuji).

In Origin, the passengers wake up from stasis, en route to the distant planet Thea. They were supposed to reach the planet before being revived,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fallout-76-journal-day-1-welcome-to-the-wasteland37138SimeonFallout 76 journal, day 1: welcome to the wastelandCortana’s redesign is now available for iOS

Cortana’s version 3.0 redesign, which we first saw released in beta last month, is now available to all iOS users. As well as overhauling its interface, the update adds the ability for you to have “conversational experiences” with the voice assistant, listen to music and podcasts, and set up Cortana devices. These latter two pieces of functionality are especially relevant right now, given that Microsoft’s Surface Headphones are due to launch next week on November 19th.

As expected, the update also brings better integration with the rest of Microsoft’s ecosystem of services. You can now use the app to join Skype or Teams (Microsoft’s version of Slack) meetings, and also access your calendar, meetings, emails, reminders, and to-dos.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/cortanas-redesign-is-now-available-for-ios37139SimeonCortana’s redesign is now available for iOSMicrosoft reveals new Windows 10 light theme

Microsoft is planning to introduce a new light theme into Windows 10 with the next major update. The software giant unveiled the theme today in a new test build of Windows 10, and it looks like a new take on the white theme that exists in the operating system. Microsoft is essentially bringing this white theme system-wide, allowing all of the UI to appear white. To compliment the new light theme, Microsoft is also tweaking the default wallpaper of Windows 10 so it better fits the new theme.

This new light theme will first appear in the next major update to Windows 10, expected to debut in April next year. Codenamed 19H1, it also includes improvements to the new snipping tool, updates to the printing app, and intelligent hours for Windows...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-reveals-new-windows-10-light-theme37140SimeonMicrosoft reveals new Windows 10 light themeAmazon HQ2: all of the news about its controversial search for a new headquarters

Amazon’s choice to expand its New York City and Virginia offices has resulted in massive backlash

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-hq2-all-of-the-news-about-its-controversial-search-for-a-new-headquarters37141SimeonAmazon HQ2: all of the news about its controversial search for a new headquartersA cold ‘super-Earth’ may live around a nearby star

A planet three times more massive than Earth may be lurking around the second-closest star system to our cosmic neighborhood. Astronomers say they have found evidence for a so-called “super-Earth” around the famous Barnard’s star — a small, faint dwarf star located less than six light-years away. Though we don’t know what this potential planet looks like, its close proximity makes it an excellent target for future telescopes to study in the long-enduring hunt for extraterrestrial life.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/a-cold-super-earth-may-live-around-a-nearby-star37142Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9riDTsDFue8WNuEUhN8fK-6Eci0=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62329015/Planet_2.0.jpgA cold ‘super-Earth’ may live around a nearby starV-Moda’s new Bassfit earphones enter the fitness game for $130

V-Moda is releasing its first pair of fitness neckbuds today called the BassFit. They employ what V-Moda is calling “TriFit design,” meaning there are three different wear options to accomplish the best fit.

The first TriFit option uses flexible ear hooks that wrap around your ears to help the earbuds stay in place, the second option uses ear fins, and the third TriFit implementation uses both fins and hooks. These are handy features to ensure the fit is as snug as possible.

Image: V-Moda

The BassFit weigh just 17 grams, they have weather and sweat resistance, and they support AptX and AAC audio codecs for better and lower-latency audio. You can also connect the earbuds to two devices simultaneously. The BassFit...

According to Verizon, the test was conducted using a Moto Z3 with the promised 5G Moto Mod attachment (which, in turn, is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem and the company’s QTM052 mmWave antennas). The cell carrier successfully tested browsing the internet and placing a video call on Verizon’s 28 GHz spectrum band, making this one of the first actual 5G tests in the mmWave area to be done on actual consumer hardware.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/verizon-says-it-successfully-tested-5g-on-the-moto-z337127SimeonVerizon says it successfully tested 5G on the Moto Z3Ralph Breaks the Internet is The Lego Movie of Disney films

Disney’s 2012 film Wreck-It Ralph proved that a movie based on video game nostalgia could actually be more than a gimmick. It’s the story of Ralph (John C. Reilly), a villain in a Donkey Kong-esque 1980s-style retro arcade game, who ventures outside of his own cabinet and into the world of other games to prove he’s not such a bad guy after all. Along the way, he befriends a wisecracking racing-game misfit named Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman). Together, they learn that what’s important isn’t what others think about you; it’s about what you think of yourself. It’s kinetic, clever, and filled with video game cameos, though it doesn’t fully achieve its Pixar-perfect ambitions.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-gives-the-pixel-camera-superhuman-night-vision37129Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7vnm1-rHbtNZY3lN8sqkYrZcDAM=/274x0:1894x1080/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62325079/vpavic_181112_3082_0008_sans_bar.1542214808.jpgGoogle gives the Pixel camera superhuman night visionThe FCC is auctioning off the first block of mmWave 5G spectrum today

5G is shaping up to be a big deal, and a huge part of that is mmWave technology — the radio signals that are much higher up the electromagnetic spectrum that are capable of carrying far more data at much faster speeds than our current LTE signals.

That’s why a key part of 5G’s success is going to come down to who controls the rights to use those bands of spectrum. Today, the first blocks of mmWave 5G are getting auctioned off by the FCC.

Things are kicking off with a 27.500–28.350 GHz band of spectrum, divided into two 425-megahertz blocks, with a total of 3,072 licenses up for auction to 45 undisclosed bidders. That’ll be followed by a chunk of 24 GHz spectrum with 2,909 licenses, as well as an auction for three more high-spectrum...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-fcc-is-auctioning-off-the-first-block-of-mmwave-5g-spectrum-today37111SimeonThe FCC is auctioning off the first block of mmWave 5G spectrum todayXbox One keyboard and mouse support arrives with today’s November update

Microsoft is enabling mouse and keyboard support for its Xbox One console today. Fortnite will be one of the first games to enable this support alongside Warframe. Bomber Crew, Deep Rock Galactic, Strange Brigade, Vermintide 2, War Thunder, and X-Morph Defense will also all support keyboard and mouse later this month. Microsoft also previously revealed 7 additional games will support keyboard and mouse in the future.

Developers will need to specifically opt-in to enable keyboard and mouse support in Xbox One games, and Fortnite in particular is only matching these gamers with the same inputs to keep play balanced. Most modern wired or wireless USB keyboards and mice will work on the Xbox One, and Microsoft is also partnering with Razer...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/xbox-one-keyboard-and-mouse-support-arrives-with-todays-november-update37112SimeonXbox One keyboard and mouse support arrives with today’s November updatePrivacy advocates sound the alarm after Google grabs DeepMind UK health app

Google has stoked fears in the UK regarding its access to private medical data after the decision was made to transfer part of its London health operation to US hands.

The company’s London-based AI lab DeepMind announced yesterday that its DeepMind Health unit would be absorbed by Google Health. DeepMind Health is responsible for a range of health care projects in the UK, including the Streams app, which is used by a small number of doctors and nurses working in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

The creation of the app was controversial. Last year, the UK government ruled that DeepMind had gained inappropriate access to medical data from 1.6 million patients when developing Streams. By the time of the ruling, DeepMind had already...

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Mozilla has released a privacy report on some popular gift options, which tells you if a gadget meets basic security standards like encrypting data and offering a clear privacy policy.

There isn’t much to take away from the teaser in terms of a narrative, but the infamous Golden Snitch does make an appearance. A player can be heard chanting a spell (immobilus, which stops an object from moving) before an ominous poster appears warning all wizards and witches of a brewing threat.

Players in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will be able to “explore real-world surroundings to unravel a global mystery, cast spells, and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/niantics-pokemon-go-style-harry-potter-game-is-coming-in-201937096SimeonNiantic’s Pokémon Go-style Harry Potter game is coming in 2019Fallout 76 players are helping newbies by acting like NPCs

When Fallout 76 was announced, fans of the open-world role-playing series worried that making the traditionally solitary franchise into a multiplayer game would ruin the experience somehow. Wouldn’t griefers be inevitable? Do you really want random jerks doing strange things in your game? Now that Fallout 76 is out, however, the most common player behavior seems to prove that Bethesda knew exactly what it was doing. People are actually being nice.

As promised, Apple has updated its MacBook Pro configurations with new options for AMD Radeon Pro Vega graphics cards, specifically the all-new Pro Vega 16 and Pro Vega 20 options. Apple first announced these new component choices as part of its fall Mac hardware event, where it announced a new MacBook Air and Mac mini.

The options are now available on Apple’s online store for the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. It’s only available on the laptop’s highest-end configuration. You’ll be paying an extra $250 for the Pro Vega 16, and an extra $350 for the Pro Vega 20. That’s on top of the laptop’s $2,799 base cost. However, the laptop’s base GPU is seeing a small update from the Radeon Pro 555X to the 560X, which was previously an...

The number of people who use mobile devices as a primary option to stream Netflix is growing worldwide, which makes it no surprise that the company is reportedly testing a new payment plan specifically targeting mobile users.

A report from Malaysian newspaper The Star says that Netflix is exploring a mobile-only subscription plan that would cut the membership cost by approximately 50 percent. Phones and tablets account for 35 percent of global Netflix signups, according to a report from Recode earlier this year. The growth of mobile Netflix users, especially in countries where mobile usage outpaces time spent watching traditional TV or time on a computer, is constant.

After months of speculation, Amazon announced yesterday that it will divvy up its second headquarters between New York City and Northern Virginia. Strangely, both New York senators have been silent on the deal.

Just moments after the announcement, Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine blasted off statements welcoming the HQ2 headquarters to their state, touting the economic activity it would bring. “As a former Governor, now Senator, but also as a former technology executive, I’m really excited about the potential Amazon offers not only to Northern Virginia but the whole capital region and the entire Commonwealth,” Sen. Warner said.

“I’m thrilled that our skilled workforce helped persuade Amazon to bring a major new headquarters and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/new-york-senators-ominously-quiet-after-amazon-deal37100SimeonNew York senators ominously quiet after Amazon dealOne of the best podcast apps, Pocket Casts, just got a big redesign

Several months after the podcast app Pocket Casts was acquired by a mix of public radio stations, today marks the release of a major update. Version 7.0 brings with it a revamped design and a handful of new features that I’ve really come to appreciate in the couple weeks I’ve spent testing it. The look of the app has changed up quite a bit, but it still feels like Pocket Casts.

Here are some of the main improvements you’ll see when you install the update today on iOS and Android.

Play episodes without subscribing: This is a big one and perhaps my favorite of all. Now you can pull up a podcast and jump right into a specific episode without having to commit to the entire series — even temporarily — with a subscription. So if you’ve...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/one-of-the-best-podcast-apps-pocket-casts-just-got-a-big-redesign37101SimeonOne of the best podcast apps, Pocket Casts, just got a big redesignThe makers of the selfie drone camera are Kickstarting its sequel, the Hover 2

ZeroZero Robotics, the makers of the Hover Camera Passport selfie drone which followed around subjects using facial and body recognition, is back with a sequel. The Hover 2 camera is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and ZeroZero says it’s four times more powerful than its predecessor. The drone’s body features most of the same design of the original, but the Hover 2 now comes with an encasing that can be replaced with a lighter weight protector that improves flight time, control range, and aerodynamics.

The Hover 2 includes a feature called Optical Radar, which is a swiveling stereo sensor that offers 360-degree depth perception and obstacle avoidance. Paired with the new housing and the remote, it has 23 minutes of flight...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-makers-of-the-selfie-drone-camera-are-kickstarting-its-sequel-the-hover-237102Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3dN-noCzQEYTQrmN67_kEPZbdvo=/0x32:750x532/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62293109/HOVER_2_ID.0.jpgThe makers of the selfie drone camera are Kickstarting its sequel, the Hover 2Indiegogo will withhold certain crowdfunding campaigns’ funds until they ship

Crowdfunding lost its luster over the past few years as major campaigns failed to deliver on millions of dollars’ worth of promises. Indiegogo CEO David Mandelbrot recognizes backers’ disappointment, and so now, the company is planning to fundamentally alter the concept of crowdfunding and make it more like regular pre-sales.

Mandelbrot tells The Verge that Indiegogo is planning to experiment with a new payment method for crowdfunded campaigns called “guaranteed shipping.” This badge would signal to backers that they’re guaranteed to receive a specific product, and if they don’t, they’ll receive their money back. Creators’ raised funds will be withheld until the product ships, at least when the program launches at first. This will begin...

This week on Why’d You Push That Button, Vox.com’s Kaitlyn Tiffany and I give the people behind the camera some attention. We’re talking about Instagram boyfriends, or simply, the photographers who take everyone’s Instagram photos. The unsung heroes. We want to know how these people feel and how influencers decide who to ask to take their photo.

We chat with Meredith Haggerty about the time she hired an Instagram boyfriend for Fashion Week in New York City a couple years ago. She wrote about the experience for Racked— I highly recommend it. Then Kaitlyn talks to a verified influencer couple, Rachel Hope and Alex Sunshine. Rachel is the face behind The Concrete Blonde, and she and Alex have had to navigate their relationship in both a...

L’Oréal has announced a wearable device that measures your exposure to ultraviolet radiation that can seriously damage your skin and eyes and potentially cause skin cancer. The La Roche-Posay My Skin Track UV sensor is designed to clip onto your clothes or bag, and it relies on NFC rather than Bluetooth to transmit its data, meaning it doesn’t require a battery to function. L’Oreal previously introduced a similar sensor that attached to your fingernail.

Despite the dangers of UV radiation, it can be very difficult to know exactly how much you’re being exposed to. UVA rays can penetrate clouds and glass, which means you’re probably exposed to them more than you think. L’Oréal’s sensor has the potential to educate people about how often...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/loreals-wearable-sensor-will-track-your-uv-exposure-throughout-the-day37086SimeonL’Oréal’s wearable sensor will track your UV exposure throughout the daySonos’ Black Friday deals feature the One and Beam speakers

Sonos has announced its Black Friday deals, over a week before the sales weekend is due to start. Its voice-controlled Sonos One speaker will be discounted to $175, $25 less than its regular retail price, while its newest product, the compact Sonos Beam soundbar (which also features Alexa voice control), will be discounted by $50 to $349. Finally, the company’s Sonos Sub is getting a hefty $100 discount, although its price still sits high at $599.

We liked both of the voice-controlled products when we reviewed them. The Sonos One pretty successfully combines the smarts of Alexa with sound quality that’s far superior to Amazon’s first-party efforts (although its promised Google Assistant support has been delayed to 2019). Meanwhile, the S...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/sonos-black-friday-deals-feature-the-one-and-beam-speakers37087Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E1L3X8LlV0el94G-l9P_-q0fLJc=/1x0:1689x1125/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62326127/Sonos_One_Holiday.0.pngSonos’ Black Friday deals feature the One and Beam speakersNintendo is betting on Smash Bros. and Pokémon for huge holiday sales

The Switch has been a huge success for Nintendo, already outselling both of its predecessors: the GameCube and the Wii U. But the portable console — coming up on its second holiday season — is about to face its biggest test yet, with Nintendo needing to sell nearly 14 million Switches over the holidays if it wants to meet its lofty 20 million unit sales goal that it set at the beginning of the year. And it has to do it without the benefit of a Zelda or a Mario game to bolster sales.

It’s a big moment for the future of the Switch, but Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé isn’t concerned. “This year, we think that we’re exceptionally well prepared for the holidays and truly have something for every type of gamer and every type...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/nintendo-is-betting-on-smash-bros-and-pokemon-for-huge-holiday-sales37088Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bcChuBdNxyOGWxUdvyrflbE8E9g=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62326973/jbareham_180301_2346_nintendo_switch_0132.0.jpgNintendo is betting on Smash Bros. and Pokémon for huge holiday salesUber rolls out its own airlines-style rewards program

Uber hasn’t taken to the skies yet, but the ride-hail company is already offering a frequent flyer-style rewards program for riders. The program, which launches in nine cities Wednesday, lets ride-hail customers earn perks like cheaper fares, better customer support, and priority pickups at airports. It’s another in a series of product announcements from Uber aimed at winning over customers — and impressing investors — ahead of the company’s planned IPO in 2019.

Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond

Opting in to Uber’s new rewards program is free. Much like it did with drivers last month, Uber Rewards breaks down into four categories: Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Riders earn points for every dollar spent on Uber’s various products:...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/uber-rolls-out-its-own-airlines-style-rewards-program37089Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/12d7l16a4JCxg79jy92-TC9Xgbg=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62322957/akrales_181010_3013_0148.0.jpgUber rolls out its own airlines-style rewards programThe Google Assistant smart home ecosystem is slowly starting to take shape

At an event in San Francisco yesterday, Google gave the press a tour of a smart home featuring its Google Assistant products. Notably, the new Google Home Hub was there. It was, in many ways, pretty typical: here’s how you can turn on the lights, command a TV to play Stranger Things on Netflix (it’s always Stranger Things on Netflix), and start or stop a Roomba. But Google also showed off a handful of new features for both Assistant and its Google Home products.

On their own, none of these new features are particularly revolutionary. Taken together, they certainly don’t add up to a compelling case for why somebody who is already enmeshed in Amazon’s Alexa ecosystem should switch over. What they did do, however, was begin to present a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/dolby-dimension-review-headphones-for-your-home37078SimeonDolby Dimension review: headphones for your homePokémon: Let’s Go is the perfect way to introduce kids to the series

Yesterday morning, while I was in the kitchen making coffee, my five-year-old daughter walked into the room with a stuffed Eevee under one arm and a map of the Kanto region in her other hand. We had played a bit of Pokémon: Let’s Go on the Nintendo Switch before bed the night before, and she woke up thinking about pocket monsters. It’s been like this for the past week.

With Let’s Go, developer Game Freak is aiming for a very tricky target. In 2016, hundreds of millions of new players were drawn to the franchise through the mobile game Pokémon Go. But for many of them, the jump to a traditional Pokémon experience — one with battles, experience points, and other fussy role-playing features — was too far. Let’s Go is meant to be a bridge...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/pokemon-lets-go-is-the-perfect-way-to-introduce-kids-to-the-series37079SimeonPokémon: Let’s Go is the perfect way to introduce kids to the seriesFortnite introduces new Food Fight mode for a limited time

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite is getting a new mode, dubbed Food Fight, as part of its today’s v6.30 patch. The new Limited Time Mode is a food-themed base defense game between Durrr Burger and Pizza Pit, which sees both teams attempt to build defenses around their restaurants while attempting to destroy the mascot head located inside their opponent’s base.

Disappointingly, there doesn’t appear to actually be any food-slinging involved with this latest patch. Instead, the food acts as mascots for each team, whose members have either tomato heads or burger heads depending on their allegiance.

Along with the new mode, the patch also adds a couple of new weapons: a mounted turret and a new revolver, and makes various UI and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fortnite-introduces-new-food-fight-mode-for-a-limited-time37072SimeonFortnite introduces new Food Fight mode for a limited timeFord teaming up with Walmart and Postmates on robot deliveries

Ford is joining forces with Walmart and Postmates to create a grocery delivery service using self-driving vehicles in Miami, the companies announced Wednesday.

Now Ford is moving to the next stage: grocery delivery. The company says it will experiment with different vehicle types, as well as modifications to those vehicles needed to keep perishable food items fresh. It will also experiment with a variety of scenarios, such as multiple deliveries on one trip and the user experience of retrieving...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/ford-teaming-up-with-walmart-and-postmates-on-robot-deliveries37063SimeonFord teaming up with Walmart and Postmates on robot deliveriesCalifornia man pleads guilty to fatal swatting and FCC bomb threat

A Californian man whose unsuccessful swatting attempt led to the death of 28-year old Andrew Finch has pled guilty to charges that will see him sent to prison for at least 20 years. Tyler Barriss was charged with cyberstalking, conspiracy, and making a false report that resulted in death. He also pled guilty to calling in numerous fake bomb scares against schools, universities, shopping malls, the headquarters of the FBI, and those of the FCC during its vote on net neutrality.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/california-man-pleads-guilty-to-fatal-swatting-and-fcc-bomb-threat37064SimeonCalifornia man pleads guilty to fatal swatting and FCC bomb threatAmazon’s HQ2 stunt could come back to haunt it

There was always something distasteful about Amazon’s quest to find a home for its HQ2. Even when it seemed like it might be a fair fight, it was depressing to watch so many cities and towns prostrating themselves before a tech giant in hopes they would score a windfall of jobs and infrastructure investments. Today, after a nationwide search, the entire stunt was revealed to be a kind of ruse — Amazon’s singular HQ2 turned out to be a pair of regional offices, and they would be located in two thriving metropolitan areas with strategic significance to Amazon and no dearth of high-paying jobs to start with.

I rarely write about Amazon here, but I’m making an exception today, if only because its big office move represents such a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazons-hq2-stunt-could-come-back-to-haunt-it37065SimeonAmazon’s HQ2 stunt could come back to haunt itSupercell’s new game mixes Fortnite and Clash Royale, and it’s out soon

]]>https://techfishnews.com/supercells-new-game-mixes-fortnite-and-clash-royale-and-its-out-soon37055SimeonSupercell’s new game mixes Fortnite and Clash Royale, and it’s out soonWithings’ Pulse HR is a fitness tracker with a 20-day battery life

After buying itself back from Nokia and releasing the Steel HR Sport under its own brand in September, Withings is releasing another updated wearable called the Pulse HR. A water-resistant fitness tracker that offers heart rate monitoring, the Pulse HR has connected GPS tracking and a 20-day battery life.

The tracker’s silicone wristband can be swapped with two other colors, and the OLED display can show real-time workout information like calories burned, daily activity goal progress, and smartphone notifications. It can also track sleep patterns, detect sleep duration, and wake up the user with vibration alarms at optimal times during the sleep cycle.

The Pulse HR is an updated version of the Pulse, Withings’ first activity tracker...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/withings-pulse-hr-is-a-fitness-tracker-with-a-20-day-battery-life37056SimeonWithings’ Pulse HR is a fitness tracker with a 20-day battery lifeSamsung’s next flagship processor has an NPU for on-device AI

Samsung Electronics is the latest mobile system-on-chip vendor to start using dedicated hardware for on-device machine learning. The Exynos 9 Series 9820, which will undoubtedly be used in the international versions of the Galaxy S10, has a neural processing engine (NPU) that is claimed to deliver up to seven times faster AI performance than the S9’s 9810. NPUs can be used to speed up tasks like image processing and AR.

Huawei was the first chip designer to announce an SoC with an NPU when it revealed the Kirin 970 last year, and Apple followed quickly with the A11 Bionic; both companies further focused on AI performance with their new Kirin 980 and A12 Bionic chips. Qualcomm, whose Snapdragon 845 chip is found in the US version of the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsungs-next-flagship-processor-has-an-npu-for-on-device-ai37048SimeonSamsung’s next flagship processor has an NPU for on-device AIB&H is offering $100 off the Apple HomePod ahead of Black Friday

It’s definitely a good time to pick up a HomePod. Apple just started selling refurbished models for $299.99, while Best Buy will sell the Siri-equipped speaker for $249.99 on Black Friday, and now B&H Photo is offering that same price right now — no need to wait for post-Thanksgiving carnage.

That represents $100 off the sticker price, a startling 29-percent reduction for an Apple product still in its first year on sale. The HomePod isn’t for everyone, as it only really makes sense as a smart speaker if you use Apple Music and are invested in the Apple ecosystem. But its sound quality is amazing for the size, and $249.99 is a great price even if you only ever use it as an AirPlay 2 speaker.

“Let the Vapors of the Vishanti drive you from the sight of man! Let the mystic Hosts of Hoggoth prevent you from ever returning again!”

You may not have read those immortal lines before, but superhero comics fans can probably instantly identify the author. Stan Lee, who died yesterday at age 95, wrote like no one before him — or, in spite of his massive influence, anyone since.

Though he initially became famous as a comics writer, Lee’s writing is perhaps the least-celebrated aspect of his career and legacy. He’s mostly known as the co-creator of hugely successful characters like Spider-Man, the Hulk, Thor, and the Fantastic Four, even though he probably had less input into them than his collaborating artists, Steve Ditko and Jack...

Apple has added refurbished HomePods for the first time to its online store, where they’re selling for $50 less than the original price, via MacRumors. Both the white and space gray versions are selling for $299, but you’re better off looking elsewhere — Best Buy’s Black Friday deals show new HomePods selling for even cheaper, at $250.

The HomePod normally costs $349, which is pretty high for a wireless smart speaker that requires you to be locked into Apple products. If you’re undeterred by this and more in it for the superb audio quality, getting the discounted, refurbished product through Apple’s online store might be the smarter choice once Black Friday deals disappear.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-is-now-selling-refurbished-homepods-but-black-friday-deals-are-cheaper36998SimeonApple is now selling refurbished HomePods, but Black Friday deals are cheaperOne of Europe’s biggest carriers is bringing 5G service to 16 UK cities next year

The United Kingdom’s biggest cell carrier, EE, announced plans today to launch proper 5G mobile service throughout parts of the region, with a 16-city rollout planned for 2019. The first phase of the rollout will begin with capital cities across the UK, including Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and London. Two other England cities, Birmingham and Manchester, are also included in phase one, which is scheduled for sometime next year.

EE is focusing its efforts on high-volume centers in those first six cities, including Hyde Park in London, the Manchester and Belfast airports, Edinburgh’s Waverley train station, the Welsh Assembly, and Birmingham’s Bullring shopping center. EE joins other European carriers, like Vodafone and Three UK, with...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/one-of-europes-biggest-carriers-is-bringing-5g-service-to-16-uk-cities-next-year36999SimeonOne of Europe’s biggest carriers is bringing 5G service to 16 UK cities next yearJuul cuts flavored nicotine supply to stores and shutters its social media

E-cigarette company Juul Labs will stop supplying over 90,000 brick-and-mortar stores with its fruity and dessert-flavored pods, the company announced today. It’s also quitting Facebook and Instagram in an effort to dampen the popular vape’s appeal to underage consumers. The announcement follows rumors from last week that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will soon announce a flavor ban to combat youth vaping.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/juul-cuts-flavored-nicotine-supply-to-stores-and-shutters-its-social-media37000SimeonJuul cuts flavored nicotine supply to stores and shutters its social mediaGoogle’s G Suite Twitter account is the latest to get hacked in bitcoin scam

Google’s official G Suite Twitter account is the latest victim of an ongoing bitcoin scam that has been plaguing the social media platform for the last few weeks, joining companies like Target (which saw a similar hack this morning), via The Next Web.

G Suite might be the highest-profile target of the scam yet, which saw fake, promoted tweets that appeared to originate from the G Suite account pop up in users’ timelines this afternoon, directing them toward a scammy bitcoin address as part of a “giveaway.”

First time I've seen this scam - it's a promoted tweet, but If you click the user ID in the tweet, it actually takes you to the legit G Suite Twitter account. Very clever. @Google@gsuitepic.twitter.com/Us7ygYZMi6

]]>https://techfishnews.com/googles-g-suite-twitter-account-is-the-latest-to-get-hacked-in-bitcoin-scam36986SimeonGoogle’s G Suite Twitter account is the latest to get hacked in bitcoin scamFaraday Future: the rise and fall of the electric car startup

Following the EV company’s best and worst moments, from its 2015 debut to its most recent struggles

]]>https://techfishnews.com/faraday-future-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-electric-car-startup36987SimeonFaraday Future: the rise and fall of the electric car startupOne of YouTube’s biggest creators is taking a burnout break

Lilly Singh, one of YouTube’s most successful creators, is taking a break from the platform. In a recent video, Singh — also known as IISuperwomanII — explains that she is “mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted,” and she plans to take time away in order to recoup her creative energy.

For eight years, Singh has consistently released videos and daily vlogs on YouTube. She currently has more than 16 million subscribers between her channels, and she is considered one of the highest-earning YouTubers. But success does not equal well-being, and Singh says she could be mentally healthier. “I’ve enjoyed it,” she says of YouTube. “I love it. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it has been a lot.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/one-of-youtubes-biggest-creators-is-taking-a-burnout-break36988SimeonOne of YouTube’s biggest creators is taking a burnout breakEssential shows signs of life with launch of $149 headphone dongle

The product is officially called the Audio Adapter HD, and it’s quite pricey at $149, which is about 30 percent of the cost of the phone itself — not counting the heavy discounts you can get at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers....

Autodesk announced its new innovative lander design today at the company’s conference in Las Vegas — revealing a spacecraft that looks like a spider woven from metal. The company says the idea to create the vehicle was sparked when Autodesk approached NASA to validate a lander prototype it had been working on. After looking at Autodesk’s work, JPL and the company decided to form a design team — comprised of five engineers...

It always pays to find a good deal on video games, consoles, and accessories, especially on newer titles and hardware. This year, GameStop has the usual round of deals on controllers and some slightly older titles, but there’s also some standout deals, like a sharp discount on Forza Horizon 4 and other recent games, deals on Xbox One X and One S bundles, as well as a deal on a new PS4 Slim bundled with Spider-Man.

All of these deals start on November 18th, a few days before most Black Friday specials begin, and GameStop claims to have more discounts as the week proceeds, so be sure to check back to The Verge.

Games

]]>https://techfishnews.com/gamestops-pre-black-friday-deals-discount-games-ps4-and-xbox-one-consoles-and-accessories36977SimeonGameStop’s pre-Black Friday deals discount games, PS4 and Xbox One consoles, and accessoriesLime to expand from scooters to shared cars in Seattle

Lime already has its shared bicycle and scooter fleets in cities around the country, but it’s not stopping there: starting this week, the company is rolling out a fleet of shared Lime cars in Seattle as part of its new “LimePod” service, with a goal of having 1,500 cars in the city by early next year, via Bloomberg.

Lime is starting off a little smaller, at least at the beginning, with just 50 cars hitting the streets of Seattle this week. However, the company is planning to continue to expand things weekly, aiming toward having 500 cars available by the end of the year. Similar to the scooters and bikes, LimePod users will be able to pay $1 to unlock a car, and then 40 cents per minute of use on top of that for driving around. For the...

I’ve never felt the need to own an Amazon Echo device, partly because I feel like I can Google things faster than a voice assistant can understand me, but mostly because of that one time a bunch of Alexa devices all decided to creepily laugh at their owners, unprompted. But then I saw these antique phones modified with Alexa functionality, which only listen to you when the handset is off the receiver, and it made perfect sense. It’s no longer a hands-free voice assistant by any means, but all these privacy violations have taught us that when the future feels too overwhelming, it’s best to take a few steps back by a few decades.

Christine Sunu and Dick Whitney of Grain Design have created three different models: the Regent, a Belgian...

Nicely displaying high-quality images without sacrificing load time can be a constant dilemma. Now, an experimental web app from Google called “Squoosh” offers a quick and easy way to get the best of both worlds, via 9to5Google.

It’s a pretty simple app to use: you can drag and drop an image of your choosing into the tool, at which point, you can pick from compression standards including MozJPEG, OptiPNG, and Google’s own WebP. A small slider lets you quickly adjust the level of compression, and you’ll also see a running total of how large the resulting file is expected to be. A second slider can be pulled across the image to let you easily see the effects of the compression. There are more advanced options available, but we were able...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/googles-new-web-app-lets-you-squoosh-images-down-to-smaller-file-sizes36965SimeonGoogle’s new web app lets you ‘Squoosh’ images down to smaller file sizesMicrosoft to focus on Windows 10 quality after a buggy year

Microsoft hasn’t had a great time with Windows 10 in 2018. Earlier this year Microsoft delayed its April 2018 Windows 10 update due to last minute Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issues, and then had to fix desktop and Chrome freezing issues after it shipped to more than 600 million devices. Just last month, Microsoft released its October 2018 Update and was forced to pull it offline after a few days of some users complaining that files were being deleted.

If those incidents weren’t bad enough, last week an engineer mistakenly made a licensing server change that meant lots of Windows 10 Pro machines were suddenly deactivated. It’s been a messy 2018.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-to-focus-on-windows-10-quality-after-a-buggy-year36966SimeonMicrosoft to focus on Windows 10 quality after a buggy yearMicrosoft re-releases Windows 10 October 2018 Update today after pulling it offline

Microsoft is releasing its Windows 10 October 2018 Update again today, after bugs forced the company to pull it offline last month. A number of Windows 10 users reported missing files after the update was released in early October. While Microsoft did re-release the update to beta testers, it has taken the company more than a month to fully test it and release it more generally today.

“In addition to extensive internal validation, we have taken time to closely monitor feedback and diagnostic data from our Windows Insiders and from the millions of devices on the Windows 10 October Update, and we have no further evidence of data loss,” explains Microsoft’s John Cable, director of program management for Windows servicing and delivery.

YouTube creators like Shane Dawson, Ryland Adams, and Smosh co-founder Anthony Padilla have called out digital network Defy Media following its closure for a series of concerning business practices.

Defy Media was the parent company of some of YouTube’s most popular channels, including Smosh, Smosh Games, and Clevver. The network announced last week that it was shutting down operations immediately, leaving teams at Smosh and Clevver looking for a new parent company to back their talent team and production costs. Now, in wake of the news, several creators who worked with Defy Media and Defy Media’s multichannel network (MCN) are expressing their own grievances with Defy Media’s predatory practices and lack of professionalism.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/top-youtube-creators-call-out-defunct-defy-media-for-shady-practices36949SimeonTop YouTube creators call out defunct Defy Media for shady practices How Amazon landed up to $2 billion in subsidies for its new headquarters

Amazon has just announced the sites for its HQ2. Soon, the company will be expanding into Long Island City, Queens, and Crystal City, in Arlington, Virginia. The expansion, the retail giant says, will bring 25,000 employees to each of the areas, and the company said it would invest $5 billion in the offices. Already, the announcement is raising questions about what the deal will mean for the cities, the scope of the agreement, and how Amazon conducted the search in the first place. With more than $2 billion in potential subsidies available across the three sites, the secretive and dramatic search seems to have paid off.

The incentives the company will receive as part of the deals are already eye-popping: Amazon announced that, in New...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/how-amazon-landed-up-to-2-billion-in-subsidies-for-its-new-headquarters36950SimeonHow Amazon landed up to $2 billion in subsidies for its new headquartersGoogle is absorbing DeepMind’s health care unit to create an ‘AI assistant for nurses and doctors’

As part of an ongoing reorganization of its health care efforts, Google has announced that it’s absorbing DeepMind Health, a part of its London-based AI lab DeepMind.

In a blog post, DeepMind’s founders said it was a “major milestone” for the company that would help turn its Streams app — which it developed to help the UK’s National Health Service (NHS)— into “an AI-powered assistant for nurses and doctors” that combines “the best algorithms with intuitive design.” Currently, the Streams app is being piloted in the UK as a way to help health care practitioners manage patients.

DeepMind says its Streams team will remain in London and that it’s committed to carrying out ongoing work with the NHS. These include a number of ambitious...

Internet providers and wireless carriers, by necessity, can see the traffic coming and going to your phone. Some companies have better privacy policies than others, but Google’s Project Fi can’t make a blanket policy — that’s because the carrier doesn’t control its own network, and instead piggybacks off of companies like T-Mobile and Sprint.

To solve that, Project Fi is launching a new option today that allows subscribers to route all of their traffic through a Google-run VPN. That means all traffic will be encrypted as it goes out and returns to your phone, so T-Mobile and Sprint won’t be able to see what you’re up to.

But your traffic will be going to Google’s servers, so Google will be able to see what you’re visiting. In a blog...

Moment is announcing a refreshed telephoto lens for $99, designed to take better photos on the iPhone XS, XR, and Pixel 3. You can also attach the 58mm zoom lens to any Galaxy, iPhone, or Pixel phone to get those up-close results.

The phone photography company has some of the best mobile lenses you can find, and are releasing this new lens as a follow-up to their first tele lens. The new lens’s benefits include a sharper, brighter image with 2x zoom (100mm zoom lens equivalent) and 4x zoom modes (200mm zoom lens equivalent ) within the Moment camera app, despite the shorter 58mm focal length compared to 60mm on the original tele lens. Also, there’s been a $10 price increase over the last-gen lens.

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s Toy Story 4 teaser, Disney and Pixar are already back with another trailer of sorts: a “trailer reaction” video, just like the ones made by what feels like every single YouTuber ever in response to the initial teaser.

Of course, Pixar’s reaction video has a little more star power, and it takes the time to introduce new characters: Ducky and Bunny. Voiced by comedy duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, the two spend less time actually reacting to yesterday’s teaser and are more concerned with relentlessly mocking Buzz Lightyear’s iconic “To infinity — and beyond!” catchphrase with pithy variations like “To infinity — and your mom!” in what is essentially a PG version of a Key & Peele sketch.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/toy-story-4s-latest-teaser-is-a-trailer-reaction-video-starring-key-and-peele36939SimeonToy Story 4’s latest teaser is a ‘trailer reaction’ video starring Key and PeeleHitman 2 is the most refined and rewarding game in the series

]]>https://techfishnews.com/hitman-2-is-the-most-refined-and-rewarding-game-in-the-series36940SimeonHitman 2 is the most refined and rewarding game in the seriesPUBG is coming to the PS4 on December 7th

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is arriving on Sony’s PlayStation 4 on December 7th. The base game will be priced at $30 on the PS4, with a “survivor’s edition” at $50 and “champion’s edition” for $60. Both the extra additions include bonus G-Coin and extra in-game rewards, and preorders begin today.

We had been expecting to see PUBG appear on the PS4 after several leaks pointed towards the release. PUBG on the PS4 will include access to the three Erangel, Miramar, and Sanhok maps, and all the major features of the PC and Xbox One versions. PUBG on PS4 Pro will also include support for HDR.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/pubg-is-coming-to-the-ps4-on-december-7th36941SimeonPUBG is coming to the PS4 on December 7thVolvo’s car subscription service is already running low on XC40s

Volvo’s new car subscription service, which lets you drive a brand-new vehicle and bundles in maintenance coverage, roadside assistance, and insurance, has proved to be much more successful than the company expected. AutoBlog reports that Volvo has already sold its first-year projection of vehicles in the service’s first four months, resulting in a waiting list for the XC40 that now stretches into 2019.

The shortage comes just weeks after Cadillac chose to suspend its own $1,800-a-month subscription service after less than two years on the market. Reportedly, the service was discontinued because letting customers drive multiple cars each month was too costly.

Although it’s popular with customers, Volvo dealers have been less enamored...

Spotify is officially releasing its Apple Watch app today. The music streaming service started testing it earlier this month, but the Apple Watch app doesn’t allow you to sync songs for offline playback yet. Spotify’s first version includes the ability to play music on the Apple Watch, or control how music is played to compatible Spotify Connect devices. Spotify has also included complications for the Apple Watch.

We got an early first look at Spotify’s Apple Watch app, and it’s essentially a better way to control songs that are being played on your iPhone or other Spotify Connect devices. You can’t stream songs directly to the Apple Watch either via your phone or LTE on the watch, and the app replaces the default “Now Playing” screen on...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/spotify-launches-its-apple-watch-app36931SimeonSpotify launches its Apple Watch appAT&T will sell the Razer Phone 2 starting on November 16th

AT&T will begin selling the Razer Phone 2 on November 16th, becoming the exclusive US carrier for the device. This is a pretty big deal for Razer — the first Razer Phone was only sold unlocked — and gaming phones, in general, since such niche devices have yet to see a ton of mainstream attention.

The Razer Phone 2 may be one of the best phones on the market for playing mobile games, but it’s not a great choice for most people. That said, if the 120Hz high-refresh screen, great speakers, and Chroma lighting are enough to sell you, now there’s an easier option to buy the phone. And from AT&T’s perspective, can it really do any worse than the RED Hydrogen One?

]]>https://techfishnews.com/att-will-sell-the-razer-phone-2-starting-on-november-16th36932SimeonAT&T will sell the Razer Phone 2 starting on November 16thFifteen years after Concorde, supersonic jets are booming back into style

You might not remember, but there used to be a jet called the Concorde that had a cruising speed of 1,354 mph, which is twice the speed of sound. New York City to London, typically a seven-hour flight, only lasted three-and-a-half hours on the Concorde. But the Concorde went bust in 2003, and supersonic jets fell out of favor. A new crop of aviation startups is hoping to resurrect it, and thanks to a new set of laws in the US, that comeback seems all but assured.

Buoyed by rich investors who want faster private jets, these startups are testing new technologies that could muffle the sonic boom that occurs when an airplane breaks the sound barrier. These cannon blast booms led Congress to ban supersonic jets from flying over US soil in...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fifteen-years-after-concorde-supersonic-jets-are-booming-back-into-style36933SimeonFifteen years after Concorde, supersonic jets are booming back into styleStubHub’s Sukhinder Singh Cassidy on The Vergecast

On this week’s interview episode of The Vergecast, Nilay talked with president of StubHub Sukhinder Singh Cassidy. Singh Cassidy previously served as president of Google Asia Pacific and Latin America, building the company’s presence globally. In 2015, she also launched theBoardlist, a talent marketplace dedicated to placing women on the boards of tech companies, and she has been a leader in diversifying the industry.

On The Vergecast, Singh Cassidy talked about her long journey as an entrepreneur and executive in the field, her more recent role as president of StubHub, and her thoughts on the recent Google walkouts and how tech companies can be run better.

Below is a brief, edited transcript of their conversation about how tech company...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/stubhubs-sukhinder-singh-cassidy-on-the-vergecast36934SimeonStubHub’s Sukhinder Singh Cassidy on The VergecastAmazon announces two winners for its second headquarters

Amazon has announced that its second US headquarters will be split between two cities, with smaller-than-expected new offices in the New York borough of Queens and the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia. The announcement caps a year of deliberations that saw over 200 frenzied proposals offering billions in incentives to the e-commerce giant. Amazon had previously promised that the development would bring 50,000 jobs to the state of its choice, along with $5 billion of capital spending.

The choice for the Long Island City neighborhood and Washington suburb has some calling the so-called contest a con job, since Amazon already employs more people in those two areas than anywhere outside of its Seattle HQ and the Bay Area. In other...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-announces-two-winners-for-its-second-headquarters36916Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g2sylLEMF_2mTopPteTSrxDGn0E=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62301073/mdoying_180411_2466_0050stills.0.jpgAmazon announces two winners for its second headquartersAmazon announces Long Island City and Crystal City as its secondary headquarters

Amazon has announced that its second US headquarters will be split between two cities, with smaller-than-expected offices in the New York City borough of Queens and the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia. The announcement caps a year of deliberations that saw over 200 frenzied proposals offering billions in incentives to the e-commerce giant. Amazon had promised 50,000 jobs and $5 billion of capital spending for the so-called HQ2, which will now be split equally between the two chosen locations.

The choice of the Long Island City, Queens neighborhood and the Washington, DC suburb has some calling the so-called contest a con job since Amazon already employs more people in those two areas than anywhere outside of its Seattle HQ and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-announces-long-island-city-and-crystal-city-as-its-secondary-headquarters36935SimeonAmazon announces Long Island City and Crystal City as its secondary headquartersTarget’s Twitter account was hacked and used for a bitcoin scam

Hackers were able to compromise Target’s Twitter account early this morning for use in a bitcoin scam that has been ramping up over the past few months.

This isn’t an isolated event, either. The scammers started by making fake accounts impersonating Elon Musk, an act that is against Twitter’s Terms of Service. The accounts would post scammy links under Musk’s tweets that asked users to send a small amount of bitcoin in order to receive a larger amount. It’s a confusing enough tactic that, according to TechCrunch, has been a profitable endeavor, making the hackers over $37,000 in cryptocurrency in just a few hours.

“Early this morning, Target’s Twitter account was inappropriately accessed. The access lasted for approximately half an...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/targets-twitter-account-was-hacked-and-used-for-a-bitcoin-scam36917SimeonTarget’s Twitter account was hacked and used for a bitcoin scamSam’s Club Black Friday deals include a PlayStation 4 Spider-Man bundle and LG 4K TVs

We’re in the thick of November, which means retailers are kicking into full gear by teasing their Black Friday deals. This time, Sam’s Club Black Friday deals have been officially announced yesterday.

Physical Sam’s Club stores will be closed on Thanksgiving this year, but they reopen at 7AM on Black Friday for customers to nab deals. At SamsClub.com, online deals begin at 12:01AM ET on Black Friday and last through November 25th. Some deals are exclusively available online, and in some cases, the deals appear to already be live, such as the 17.3-inch HP notebook with the 8th Gen Intel i7 processor. So double-check prices to see if a deal is already in effect.

We’ve picked out the best products from the 12-page ad here:

In store and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/sams-club-black-friday-deals-include-a-playstation-4-spider-man-bundle-and-lg-4k-tvs36918SimeonSam’s Club Black Friday deals include a PlayStation 4 Spider-Man bundle and LG 4K TVsThe kilogram is dead; long live the kilogram

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-kilogram-is-dead-long-live-the-kilogram36919SimeonThe kilogram is dead; long live the kilogramPandora’s podcast genome project will help you find your next Serial

Pandora’s podcast genome project, which aims to do for podcasts what its music genome project did for music, has launched in public beta. The new initiative hopes to introduce listeners to podcasts they might enjoy based on prior listening habits, and was first announced earlier this year.

Although the project includes curated elements from an in-house team, much of the work is shared with an automated system which draws upon up to 1500 attributes to build an algorithmic picture of your preferences. These attributes include everything from the ratings you give to podcasts, to which episodes you skip, and which you replay more than once. Pandora even claims that its natural language processing is clever enough to identify a podcast’s...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/pandoras-podcast-genome-project-will-help-you-find-your-next-serial36920SimeonPandora’s podcast genome project will help you find your next SerialAnother Facebook vulnerability could have exposed information about users and their friends

The security company Imperva has released new details on a Facebook vulnerability that could have exposed user data. The bug allowed websites to obtain private information about Facebook users and their friends through unauthorized access to a company API, playing off a specific behavior in the Chrome browser. The bug was disclosed to Facebook and resolved in May.

In technical terms, the attack is a cross-site request forgery, using a legitimate Facebook login in unauthorized ways. For the attack to work, a Facebook user must visit a malicious website with Chrome, and then click anywhere on the site while logged into Facebook. From there, attackers could open a new pop-up or tab to the Facebook search page and run any number of queries...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/another-facebook-vulnerability-could-have-exposed-information-about-users-and-their-friends36921Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Jlvxbu_xjosKNC4fWc5wHVRcEnw=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62291413/acastro_180928_1777_facebook_hack_0001.0.jpgAnother Facebook vulnerability could have exposed information about users and their friendsYour Snapchat friendships now have their own profiles — and merchandise

Snap has long resisted traditional social network profiles, arguing that a network of close friends didn’t need them. (You already know what your friends look like and where they go to school, the company said.) But today, it’s changing course — at least a little bit. Snapchat is rolling out what it calls “friendship profiles” to capture all the shared media you’ve exchanged with friends and groups in a single place. But in keeping with the company’s ethos around privacy, the profiles are visible only to you and your friend.

The introduction of friendship profiles is one of several steps Snap is making today to promote close friendships. In addition to profiles, Snap will begin selling Bitmoji merchandise featuring the company’s...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/your-snapchat-friendships-now-have-their-own-profiles-and-merchandise36922Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hv_vATmV7kUfCbW4s94kHHPWCek=/150x0:1770x1080/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62289711/Friendship_Profiles.0.pngYour Snapchat friendships now have their own profiles — and merchandisePokemon: Let’s Go simplifies the series without losing its soul

Since Pokémon: Let’s Go’s announcement, Game Freak director Junichi Masuda has hammered home a single point: this is not your typical Pokémon role-playing game. Instead, it’s a softer, more approachable version. The kind of game meant to capture the attention of younger audiences who never experienced the original games, new fans drawn into the series by Pokémon Go, and older players whose nostalgia will win them over.

The most surprising thing about Pokémon: Let’s Go — which comes in both Pikachu and Eevee varieties — is that it nails that Venn diagram perfectly.

Let’s Go is a mashup of series favorite Pokémon Yellow and Niantic’s breakout hitPokémon Go. Set in the Kanto region, home to the series’ original 151 pokémon, players...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/pokemon-lets-go-simplifies-the-series-without-losing-its-soul36923Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Mom4DOY1Rez8RSbOoRNlQ0L51Kc=/150x0:1770x1080/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62299363/Switch_PokemonLetsGo_090618_PressKit_SCRN_01_bmp_jpgcopy.0.jpgPokemon: Let’s Go simplifies the series without losing its soulWaymo’s paid driverless taxi service could launch next month, says report

Waymo is reportedly planning to take the next step towards offering a commercial driverless car service in early December, according to an unnamed source who spoke to Bloomberg. The soft launch will see Alphabet’s self-driving car division offering rides from a new — unnamed — consumer taxi brand. The autonomous service is expected to launch in Phoenix Arizona, where the company already operates a fleet of modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans. “Some cars” will contain backup drivers who can take control if necessary, according to the report, with straight-forward fares priced to be competitive with Uber and Lyft.

Offering paid rides is a big milestone for the service, but this is otherwise an incremental step. Initially, Bloomberg...

Keurig and Anheuser-Busch are hoping they can remake the success of coffee pods, but with premixed cocktails and beer instead. Their new joint venture — called Drinkworks —is debuting its first product today called the Drinkworks Home Bar by Keurig.

The appliance looks and acts a lot like a Keurig — it takes single pod servings and turns them into cocktails, alcohol and all. It also pairs with a companion iOS app over Bluetooth to tell users what the machine is doing, enable pod refill orders, and troubleshooting. It even includes a touchscreen so users can make drinks without touching the app. (An Android app is in the works.)

The machine costs $299. Each cocktail pod costs $3.99, or $15.99 for four. There will be 15 cocktails at...

Facebook’s proposed solution was not to use social media less, necessarily, but rather to use it differently. What followed over the next year was a series of steps designed to get people to use Facebook more “actively” — increasing the number of comments, while decreasing number of stories and videos from professional publishers in the News Feed.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/theres-more-evidence-facebook-can-make-you-feel-lonely36894SimeonThere’s more evidence Facebook can make you feel lonelyTovala launches a lighter, redesigned second generation smart oven

Tovala announced the second version of its eponymous oven today, featuring a complete redesign and a new version of its meal’s packaging. Like the original, the updated Tovala oven steams, bakes, toasts, and broils food, and while it can cook whatever you put inside, the company would recommend users subscribe to its $12 proprietary meal service

The oven itself looks different, but the really big change is the introduction of three sets of physical controls: the top is for choosing the baking mode or seeing what step the meal is on; the middle tells you the temperature the oven is at and allows you to preset it; and the bottom tells the time left for cooking. Although the oven relies on Wi-Fi to pull information about the pre-packaged...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tovala-launches-a-lighter-redesigned-second-generation-smart-oven36895SimeonTovala launches a lighter, redesigned second generation smart oveneBay and Airbnb will end mandatory arbitration for sexual harassment claims

eBay and Airbnb will both allow sexual harassment victims to take their cases to court, rather than requiring private arbitration, the companies told BuzzFeed. They’re the latest companies to drop forced arbitration clauses for sexual misconduct, following Facebook and Google — which promised changes after a massive employee protest. Several other companies told BuzzFeed that they did not have such clauses, and two others — Slack and Tesla — declined to comment.

Airbnb issued a detailed statement about the change, which applies to discrimination claims as well as sexual harassment. “We are a company who believes that in the 21st Century it is important to continually consider and reconsider the best ways to support our employees and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/ebay-and-airbnb-will-end-mandatory-arbitration-for-sexual-harassment-claims36873SimeoneBay and Airbnb will end mandatory arbitration for sexual harassment claimsAll of the Stan Lee cameos from Marvel movies, and why we love them

Stan Lee is the godfather of modern comics, and his death at age 95, although extremely sad, is a chance to celebrate exactly how much he gave to the world of pop culture. Today, the internet has been flooded with eulogies of his work, life, and his immense impact on comics and film. Many fans fondly recalled the cameos that Lee regularly made in Marvel films over the years, including the pre-Disney Marvel movies, the new Sony Spider-Man Universe, and, of course, the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It’s an Easter egg that never fails to prompt cheers, but it also inspired one of the most powerful moments I’ve ever experienced in a movie theater.

It’s rare to witness the personal effect that an icon like Lee has on people. It’s easy to gauge...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/all-of-the-stan-lee-cameos-from-marvel-movies-and-why-we-love-them36866SimeonAll of the Stan Lee cameos from Marvel movies, and why we love themComcast should be investigated for antitrust violations, say small cable companies

An industry group wants antitrust regulators to investigate whether Comcast-NBCUniversal is abusing its power to hurt smaller television and internet service providers. The American Cable Association (ACA), which represents over 700 small and medium-sized cable operators, has asked US Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim to “immediately” open an investigation into Comcast’s practices. Comcast denied that the claims have merit, and the Justice Department hasn’t publicly responded. But the ACA has found a potential supporter in President Donald Trump — who tweeted about its claims this afternoon.

The ACA claims Comcast has a uniquely powerful hold on the US cable industry because it controls a large chunk of “must have” programming...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/comcast-should-be-investigated-for-antitrust-violations-say-small-cable-companies36867SimeonComcast should be investigated for antitrust violations, say small cable companiesUpdated patent hints at PS4 controller with a touchscreen

Sony’s PlayStation controllers have largely gone unchanged in the 20-plus years that the console family has been around — after all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But a recently published update to Sony’s PlayStation controller patent hints at an interesting potential addition that would replace the DualShock 4’s touch-sensitive control pad with a full-fledged touchscreen, via DualShockers.

Sony has flirted with interactive controllers before — the current LED light bar on the existing PS4 controller with colors that change to react to whatever is going on in the game is a good example — but a touchscreen could provide even more opportunities for interactive feedback, letting Sony do things like display in-game stats, a mini-map, or...

This year, eBay is back at it again trying to outdo traditional retailers like Target and Macy’s with its “Better than Black Friday” deals. The deals, which last through the week and end on Sunday, include Apple and Samsung products as well as jewelry and toys.

eBay has selected dozens of items offered by rival retailers including Costco, BJ’s Wholesale, Kohl’s, and listed them on its site at slight discounts, often around $20 off. eBay is offering free shipping on all the deals, and if you spot a better deal on a competitor’s website for an item you’ve already purchased on eBay, you’ll be able to ask for compensation. You’ll just need to contact customer service within 48 hours after making a purchase on eBay to get a coupon of 110...

Earlier today, French president Emmanuel Macron announced that regulators from France will be allowed to study Facebook and its attempts to moderate hate speech on its platform, which will give French officials significant access into how the company vets offensive content.

In 2019, French regulators will be given access to Facebook’s content policies and how the company removes posts that may discriminate against or target minority groups or others based on gender, sexuality, or religion.

“It is in that context significant and welcome that the French government and Facebook are going to announce a new initiative,” Facebook’s vice president for global affairs and communications, Nick Clegg, said today. “That model of co-regulation of the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-will-allow-french-regulators-to-monitor-content-moderation-processes36870SimeonFacebook will allow French regulators to monitor content moderation processesJames Woods has turned his Twitter feed into a ‘bulletin board’ for missing California wildfire evacuees

As unprecedented wildfires have torn across California over the past week — devastating hundreds of thousands of acres, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents, and killing at least 31 people — plenty of celebrities, including those who have been evacuated, have been tweeting links and encouraging their followers to donate to relief efforts. But in an unexpected turn, the celeb doing perhaps the most online legwork for victims of the three fires has been conservative actor James Woods.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/james-woods-has-turned-his-twitter-feed-into-a-bulletin-board-for-missing-california-wildfire-evacuees36871SimeonJames Woods has turned his Twitter feed into a ‘bulletin board’ for missing California wildfire evacueesNetflix updated its app to resolve an early annoyance with Apple’s new iPad Pro

Netflix today released an update for its iOS app that adds full support for Apple’s latest iPad Pro tablets. The devices went on sale last Wednesday, and early buyers quickly discovered something that flew under the radar in a lot of press reviews: you can expect to see many apps with black bars surrounding them, which detracts from the new “all-screen” (but definitely not edge-to-edge) design of these iPads.

The issue is more pronounced on the 11-inch iPad Pro because it features a different screen aspect ratio than the 10.5 inch model it replaces. Very few apps are optimized for the new display size, so it’s worth knowing that you’re in for a waiting game if you’re planning to purchase one of the new models. It’s a minor frustration...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/netflix-updated-its-app-to-resolve-an-early-annoyance-with-apples-new-ipad-pro36861SimeonNetflix updated its app to resolve an early annoyance with Apple’s new iPad ProNewegg’s Black Friday deals include discounts on PC components, TVs, and smart home products

Newegg’s Black Friday ad is out, and it has a pretty robust selection of deals on TVs like LG’s OLED, smart home products including the Nest Thermostat and Indoor Camera, and PC gaming components like motherboards, GPUs, and Intel i7 processors.

Most of Newegg’s deals begin on November 19th at 12PM ET, more deals will kick in on November 22nd (Thanksgiving), and a few select deals will only be available on November 23rd (Black Friday). You won’t have to stand in line for these deals since Newegg is an online-only store, so you can attempt to grab your preferred deal once the clock hits midnight (PT).

Newegg is the latest company to release its Black Friday ad early, following Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart, so check out the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/neweggs-black-friday-deals-include-discounts-on-pc-components-tvs-and-smart-home-products36862SimeonNewegg’s Black Friday deals include discounts on PC components, TVs, and smart home productsGoogle’s Gboard now guesses what GIFs and stickers you want to send

Google is now using AI to suggest relevant GIFs, emoji, and stickers you can put in your conversation if you’re using Gboard. As you’re typing, a GIF icon might appear on the top left corner of Gboard. By tapping on it, you’ll be able to pull up Google’s suggestions for you.

It’s not as clever as it sounds, though. Google claims Gboard is using AI to scour thousands of emoji and stickers for the right ones, but it’s mainly going off of the keywords you use. So say you mention a birthday or a dance, Gboard would find the relevant stickers and GIFs to reflect that. Apple’s iOS Keyboard already does a similar thing: it will suggest an emoji when you type a word, and if you type “happy birthday,” mini fireworks will go off across your...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/googles-gboard-now-guesses-what-gifs-and-stickers-you-want-to-send36863SimeonGoogle’s Gboard now guesses what GIFs and stickers you want to sendThe internet’s horrified with Detective Pikachu

To understand the intense reaction to Detective Pikachu’s first trailer, you have to understand where the Pokémon fandom stands in 2018. As a franchise, Pokémon taps into a yearning for adventure: it’s just you, your pet pals, and the open road. Defeat the gyms and you’ll get actual emblems for your success. No parents, no responsibilities. The possibilities seem endless. For a while, that fantasy is enough for Pokémon fans — and then they grow up.

For years now, there’s been a growing shift within the Pokémon fandom, as the franchise continues to cater to children even as its original audience ages. The kids who sneaked Game Boys under their desk in the ‘90s now have wrinkles and mortgages, but the games themselves have been preserved...

Stan Lee, the former editor-in-chief, publisher, and chairman of Marvel Comics, died this morning in Los Angeles at age 95. Lee was best known for co-creating much of Marvel’s pantheon of beloved superheroes: Spider-Man, The X-Men, The Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Daredevil, Black Panther, and Doctor Strange, among others.

Lee’s comics career began in 1939, when the 17-year-old took an assistant job at Timely Comics, the predecessor to Marvel. Born Stanley Martin Lieber, he adopted Stan Lee as a pen name when he started writing comic book stories, and later made it his legal name.

His style of scripting — giving the artist a brief synopsis, then returning to nail down the details after the story was drawn — would later be...

Apple’s annual October hardware event wrapped late last month with the announcements of a new MacBook Air and a revamped Mac mini. Both computers, like the newest MacBook Pro and last year’s iMac Pro, come equipped with Apple’s security-focused T2 chip. The T2 chip, which acts as a co-processor, is the secret to many of Apple’s newest and most advanced features. However, its introduction into more computers and the likelihood that it becomes commonplace in every Mac going forward has renewed concerns that Apple is trying to further lock down its devices from third-party repair services.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-confirms-its-t2-security-chip-blocks-some-third-party-repairs-of-new-macs36848SimeonApple confirms its T2 security chip blocks some third-party repairs of new MacsThe Walking Dead’s fresh start looks like a big step back

Warning: Spoilers for The Walking Dead season 9, episode 6 below.

Last week, The Walking Dead was too clever for its own good. After head-faking for months that Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes would be killed off the show, the series aired a finale that seemed to do exactly that — before revealing in the final moments that Rick was actually just whisked away via helicopter, injured but alive. Adding insult to injury, AMC then pulled another rabbit out of its crumpled hat: not only was Rick alive, but the character would be the lead in a trilogy of Walking Dead movies set to air on the network.

This season was promoted as the final episodes of Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead, but episodes aren’t the same as TV movies, you see. Or something.

YouTube is launching its virtual reality app on the Oculus Go mobile VR headset today, after announcing its plans in September. The app will be available in the Oculus Store, joining similar apps for Samsung Gear VR, Sony PlayStation VR, Google Daydream VR, and desktop VR headsets. It’s a helpful addition to the Oculus Go, which is aimed at VR video fans and other non-gaming users.

YouTube’s VR app supports 360-degree video and standard video in a VR theater. It also includes social features, so users can watch videos with headset-wearing friends. The app was originally exclusive to smartphones, either through the low-tech Google Cardboard or the mobile Google Daydream View. We once described YouTube as the “killer app” for Google’s...

The first live-action Pokémon movie is coming next year, whether you want it or not. Legendary Pictures and The Pokémon Company released the first trailer for Detective Pikachu, starring Ryan Reynolds as a very furry version of the franchise’s best-known character.

Detective Pikachu follows a young man named Tim (Justice Smith), whose father has gone mysteriously missing. Tim pairs up with Pikachu, his dad’s former partner, who also... talks. The movie was inspired by the game of the same name, which also features a gruff, talking Pikachu. But enough about the plot! We need to talk about the hyper-realistic style the films’ creators have taken here.

2019 is shaping up to be a big year for 5G, and Intel — one of tech’s biggest mobile players — has finally announced its plans for the next-generation network in the form of its new XMM 8160 5G modem. The XMM 8160 modem is set to be released to manufacturers sometime in the second half of 2019, with the first devices using the chip coming in early 2020.

Intel has big ambitions for the XMM 8160 5G. It envisions using it across phones, PCs, and broadband hubs, with peak speeds of up to 6 gigabits per second. The modem will support both the standalone and non-standalone specs for the 5G NR (New Radio) standard, as well as legacy support for 4G, 3G, and 2G networks all in one chipset. Additionally, Intel says that the modem will support both...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/intels-new-5g-modem-might-power-apples-first-5g-iphones36838SimeonIntel’s new 5G modem might power Apple’s first 5G iPhonesThe US now has the two fastest supercomputers in the world

The world’s two fastest supercomputers are now American, according to the rankings that are released biannually. The two computers, Summit and Sierra, both use IBM technology.

Summit was crowned the world’s fastest computer back in June when it performed the mathematical test LINPACK at 122.3 petaflops per second. (Each petaflop is one quintillion math operations.) Since then, it’s received more upgrades, and it can now perform the test at 143.5 petaflops per second, giving it a huge lead over the other 499 supercomputers on the list.

Five of the top 10 supercomputers are American

Meanwhile, Sierra trails behind Summit with 1.6 million processor cores to Summit’s 2.4 million. Other than that, both supercomputers run on similar specs:...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-us-now-has-the-two-fastest-supercomputers-in-the-world36825SimeonThe US now has the two fastest supercomputers in the worldFirst Toy Story 4 teaser introduces the internet’s newest hero, Forky

Toy Story 4 is the continuation of one of Pixar’s most beloved franchises, and the first teaser for the film introduces a new character who’s caught some advance attention.

Forky is an adorable, demented little spork outfitted with pipe-cleaner arms and a cute, squiggly face. It’s the type of toy that could only be loved by a child who spent 20 whole minutes making it, and it’s obvious from the teaser that he doesn’t belong with the rest of Andy and Bonnie’s precious toys. Even Forky admits it, frantically crying out that he isn’t a toy — which feels like a callback to the first Toy Story’s central plot, where Buzz Lightyear refused to believe he was a toy rather than a real-life astronaut.

Amazon announced today that it’s making more than 1,000 kid-friendly audiobooks available through its FreeTime Unlimited program. Parents can also add additional audiobooks through Audible to their kids’ device through the Parent Dashboard. The update should start rolling out later today. Parents can also add any Audible title from their own library to their child’s.

FreeTime Unlimited allows parents to pay a set price per month to give their kids access to age-appropriate, Amazon-approved content, including apps, games, videos. It also gives parents access to their kids’ viewing habits and the ability to set time limits. Basically, it’s Amazon’s program for ensuring that kids never go somewhere online that their parents wouldn’t like.

Firefox is letting users test a new extension that will track prices for certain items and generate browser notifications when the price drops (via VentureBeat). The Price Wise extension is available from Mozilla’s Test Pilot program, and it currently supports five retailers — Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot, eBay, and Walmart — although more are planned for the future.

Price-tracking services are nothing new. CamelCamelCamel, a service that tracks prices across Amazon is probably the most famous, and Keepa is a Chrome extension that shows price-tracking information on each Amazon page that you visit. These services have the benefit of showing you historical pricing for an item (allowing you to see how special that deal really is), rather...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/firefox-test-adds-price-tracking-directly-to-its-browser36828SimeonFirefox test adds price tracking directly to its browserLyft planning to introduce a rewards program for riders

Lyft announced a new loyalty program on Monday, in which riders accumulate points that can be exchanged for trip upgrades or access to more experienced drivers. The rewards program, which launches next month, is further evidence of Lyft’s effort to introduce new products ahead of a planned IPO in 2019.

Details about Lyft’s rewards program were scant (a spokesperson said further information would be released at launch in December), but based on the company’s blog post, the rewards program won’t be available to everyone who uses Lyft at first. Riders in select cities will be invited to participate via email. They earn “points” based on the amount of money they spend with Lyft, which can be exchanged for “rewards,” such as upgrades to Lyft...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/lyft-planning-to-introduce-a-rewards-program-for-riders36829SimeonLyft planning to introduce a rewards program for ridersVolkswagen now lets Apple users unlock their car with Siri

Volkswagen is deepening its relationship with Apple on its VW Car-Net app. iOS users can now use Siri to lock and unlock their car, check estimate mileage with the fuel or charge left in their vehicle, and enable alarms.

VW owners can use Siri to start and stop a charging session for their electric car or to turn on the defroster. They can also set a specific temperature and locate their car.

Cart-Net isn’t free to all VW owners, though: the app costs a specific subscription fee per month. It allows vehicle owners to pinpoint their car’s location, set a geofence for it, and access diagnostics remotely.

The Shortcuts feature is particularly nifty, especially if users can develop a morning routine around it. I’d imagine people in cold...

This is the second blog post Wojcicki has published on Article 13, a part of the copyright directive that calls for stricter copyright infringement enforcement that puts the responsibility on the platform instead of the user. This marks the first time the CEO has vehemently stated that YouTube does not have the technical or financial capabilities to enforce the kind of copyright restriction the European Union is seeking.

There are more than 400 hours of video uploaded every minute to the platform, and putting the onus of...

For now, details on the actual plan to test cheaper Netflix subscriptions are extremely thin. Hastings wouldn’t commit to whether Netflix would actually lower prices in current markets or just offer a cheaper option in places where Netflix doesn’t currently operate. He also wouldn’t say when or where the rumored plans would be offered.

reportedly planning to test a new price tier that would offer different features than the pricier plans

According to Bloomberg, the cheaper tier won’t quite be the same Netflix that you’re used to. Instead of just dropping the lowest-priced version of...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/netflix-is-reportedly-considering-a-cheaper-price-tier-in-some-markets36815SimeonNetflix is reportedly considering a cheaper price tier in some marketsHow solar panels could cool our homes while harvesting energy

One day, rooftop solar panels could pull double-duty: harvesting energy from the Sun while also cooling the house below. Scientists have created a device that combines two technologies to do exactly that. And while it’s an early prototype, it’s a promising step toward solving the world’s many energy needs.

Most people are familiar with the concept of solar harvesting, or absorbing energy from the Sun and converting it into power. There is also a reverse process called radiative cooling, which happens when heat escapes back into the Universe.

All objects lose heat in the form of infrared radiation, which is invisible to the human eye. The atmosphere usually reflects this heat back, but a certain infrared wavelength can escape into space...

Best Buy’s early access sale is now over, which was held last week to drum up interest in its Black Friday ad. There were a few good deals, including a more affordable Surface Pro with a Type Cover included, a Ring Video Doorbell 2 with a free Amazon Echo Dot (third-gen) and several TV deals.

Don’t be too disappointed if you missed out. Its doorbuster sales that start at 8AM ET on Black Friday (November 23rd) look to be even better, and the brunt of its deals will be available on or before Thanksgiving (both online or in-store,) including its deal on the PS4 Slim with Spider-Man included.

Amazon, Costco, Walmart, and Target have each detailed their Black Friday plans, and we’ve added Best Buy’s below. We’ll be adding and removing items...

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has reiterated that the social network is considering adding an edit function (via The Next Web). When asked about the company’s plans for the oft-requested feature at a talk at the Indian Institute of Technology, the CEO repeated what he said in 2016 about needing to understand the real question being asked. It was as if years of “tweets, but editable” posts immediately following a typo left any mystery.

“When we hear about the edit button, you have to pay attention not to what people are asking you for but to the use cases. What’s the question behind the question?” said Dorsey. “So I’ve misspelled something or I tweeted the wrong URL, and I want to correct it. So that’s a lot more achievable than allowing people...

Microsoft is planning to release an LTE version of its Surface Go tablet on November 20th. Preorders are starting today, with the base model priced at $679 for consumers and $729 for businesses. The base model includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and businesses will also get the option for a second model with 256GB of storage for $829. The Surface Go with LTE will appear first in the US and Canada on November 20th, with preorders for 21 other markets due to go live by November 22nd.

Microsoft’s LTE version of the Surface Go arrives just a week after a new midrange model launched in the Microsoft Store. The $499 version includes 4GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage, an improvement over the $399 starting price model with 64GB of eMMC...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/surface-go-with-lte-arrives-on-november-20th-starting-at-67936801SimeonSurface Go with LTE arrives on November 20th starting at $679Audio-Technica M50xBT review: better beatsIf sound quality is your priority, these are the wireless headphones for you

OnePlus has announced that the “thunder purple” variant of the OnePlus 6T smartphone will be available for purchase in North America and Europe starting on November 15th. The special purple variant first debuted in China last week.

Much like the midnight and mirror black versions of the 6T, the thunder purple model is available with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and will sell for $579. All of the other features, including compatibility with Verizon and the in-screen fingerprint scanner, are also available on the thunder purple model. The purple color way isn’t a solid color, but a gradient that fades from black to purple from the top to the bottom of the phone. It has a smooth, matte finish, like the midnight black model, and retains...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-oneplus-6t-thunder-purple-is-coming-to-north-america-and-europe-this-week36792SimeonThe OnePlus 6T ‘thunder purple’ is coming to North America and Europe this weekCloudflare’s speedy 1.1.1.1 DNS service now available on iOS and Android

Cloudflare launched its 1.1.1.1 DNS service earlier this year as a resolver that anyone could use free of charge. DNS services are used by internet service providers to resolve a domain name like Google.com into a real IP address for routers and switches to understand. DNS servers provided by ISPs are often slow and unreliable, and Cloudflare promises to speed up your internet with its 1.1.1.1 service. After a successful beta, it’s now arriving on iOS and Android.

The mobile app uses features like VPN support to push your mobile traffic towards the 1.1.1.1 DNS servers and improve speeds. It will also prevent your carrier from tracking your browsing history and potentially selling it. Cloudflare is promising not to track 1.1.1.1 users or...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/cloudflares-speedy-1111-dns-service-now-available-on-ios-and-android36783SimeonCloudflare’s speedy 1.1.1.1 DNS service now available on iOS and AndroidAlibaba’s Singles Day sales dwarf Amazon’s biggest day

Alibaba’s 10th annual Singles Day sale, which took place yesterday on 11/11, racked up $30.8 billion in sales and set a new record for the platform, reports CNBC. The figure represents a 27 percent year-on-year rise over 2017’s total of $25.3 billion, and was helped in part by the e-commerce giant’s expansion into in-store retail, combined with China’s large and tech-savvy middle class.

The figure dwarfs the revenue taken during similar major shopping days of US retailers. Amazon’s Prime Day sale in July, the retailer’s biggest day of the year, is estimated to have generated around $4 billion in sales (although Amazon doesn’t report exact numbers), selling 100 million items across the 17 countries. Meanwhile the Black Friday weekend is e...

A report from the Yonhap News Agency in South Korea today has suggested a name, release date, and price for the foldable device Samsung teased last week at its developer conference. Set to be known as the Galaxy F, the foldable is expected to be properly unveiled in March of next year, a little later than the launch of Samsung’s next flagship Galaxy S phone. Unlike the mass-market Galaxy S, the alleged Galaxy F will be an exclusive device that may command a price as high as $1,770. Yonhap’s information suggests Samsung hasn’t settled on the final price yet, though we already know from Samsung chief DJ Koh that the company plans to ship a million foldable devices in 2019.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsungs-galaxy-f-foldable-phone-gets-a-price-and-release-date-in-new-report36776SimeonSamsung’s Galaxy F foldable phone gets a price and release date in new reportNintendo is shutting down streaming video for the Wii in January 2019

You soon won’t be able to watch Stranger Things on your Nintendo Wii. Netflix emailed users saying that Nintendo will be shutting down all video streaming services for the console after January 31st, 2019.

Netflix’s notification indicated that Nintendo will suspend all streaming services for the device, and that presumably means that Amazon Prime and Hulu also won’t be able to be used on the console. It makes a bit of sense, given the age of the device — the Wii was sold between 2005 and 2011, before streaming video really took off with consumers, and before services like Hulu and Amazon Prime were launched.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/nintendo-is-shutting-down-streaming-video-for-the-wii-in-january-201936741SimeonNintendo is shutting down streaming video for the Wii in January 2019We’re charmed by these tech products, reimagined for a simpler time

I’m a millennial, so of course I miss the mid-2000s and 1990s out of nostalgia. VHS tapes! Remember those! A freelance art and creative director named Tom Le French seemingly likes thinking about earlier days, too. He published a few images of what he imagines modern tech companies would have released decades ago. Facebook could have created its own pager, while Instagram would have a branded camera, for instance.

There’s something charming about these mega-corportations’ names on a simpler product. No algorithms, no politics — just a gadget that does a simple task well. If nothing else, they’re also pretty to admire. Enjoy these images and think of more relaxing times. You can check out the full collection on Le French’s website here.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/were-charmed-by-these-tech-products-reimagined-for-a-simpler-time36739SimeonWe’re charmed by these tech products, reimagined for a simpler timeGotta catch ‘em all: all the updates for Pokémon Let’s Go

]]>https://techfishnews.com/gotta-catch-em-all-all-the-updates-for-pokemon-lets-go36740SimeonGotta catch ‘em all: all the updates for Pokémon Let’s Go Supreme and Chris Cunningham have released an Aphex Twin-inspired collection

Cunningham is probably best known for video work with electronic artist Aphex Twin — which also includes the music videos for “Windowlicker” and “Come to Daddy” — but has also worked with artists and brands like Madonna, Björk, PlayStation, and Gucci to create art installations, short videos, ads, and more.

The collection includes a hooded sweatshirt with a still of the “Rubber Johnny” Chihuahua, a T-shirt with a still of the Chihuahua, and a second T-shirt with six panes of various stills from the video. All the items...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/supreme-and-chris-cunningham-have-released-an-aphex-twin-inspired-collection36738SimeonSupreme and Chris Cunningham have released an Aphex Twin-inspired collectionTeaching robots body language offers common ground for humans and machines

Anyone who’s been up close and personal with an industrial robot will tell you that these machines have an uncanny, almost unsettling presence. Rationally you know that they’re programmed automatons, but when they start moving — huge metal arms swishing through the air with inhuman precision and speed — some primeval part of your brain lights up like a switchboard and calls start pouring in.

“Danger, danger!” they say. “You need to get the fuck away from this predator now.”

Madeline Gannon is someone who delights in this discrepancy. She’s an artist, coder, and designer who, for the past few years, has been exploring how humans relate to robots; programming machines that react to our presence and that use mechanical body language of...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/teaching-robots-body-language-offers-common-ground-for-humans-and-machines36735SimeonTeaching robots body language offers common ground for humans and machinesLeague of Legends’ virtual K-pop band is helping the game attract a whole new audience

This week, Riot Games tapped into three things the internet loves: K-pop bands, women kicking ass, and augmented reality. The K/DA music video for “POP/STARS” reimagines four of the murderous champions of League of Legends as internationally acclaimed artists back with their latest single. In addition to releasing a music video, Riot also brought the virtual band onstage using AR. They performed next to the actual singers at the 2018 Worlds Finals opening ceremony, the conclusion to an annual month-long battle between e-sports teams hailing from the US, Europe, and Asia.

The band started as Riot’s way of building hype for Worlds and getting players to buy in-game cosmetics for the four champions, Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai’Sa. But it...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/league-of-legends-virtual-k-pop-band-is-helping-the-game-attract-a-whole-new-audience36733SimeonLeague of Legends’ virtual K-pop band is helping the game attract a whole new audienceeBay will now let you book home installation and assembly services

eBay has partnered with three companies to allow customers to book home installation or assembly services for items like televisions, furniture, bikes, and other things that need to be put together, right from the product page.

Various product pages for applicable items now list an option for customers to select assembly and installation services from one of three companies: Handy, InstallerNet, and Porch. The feature allows them to add the services to the purchase, much like you would add on a protection plan. Once you’ve completed your purchase of your item and the services, the applicable company will get in touch to set up an appointment.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/ebay-will-now-let-you-book-home-installation-and-assembly-services36729SimeoneBay will now let you book home installation and assembly services Resynth turns making music into a puzzle game

It can be difficult to find time to finish a video game, especially if you only have a few hours a week to play. In our biweekly column Short Play we suggest video games that can be started and finished in a weekend.

At first blush, Resynth doesn’t make a lot of sense. Looking at screenshots or GIFs reveals a strange array of squares, some seemingly marked by Xs, arrows, or different colors. But once you see — and hear — the game in motion, it starts to make sense. Resynth is designed to look like a music sequencer, and solving the game’s puzzles is akin to making music.

At its core, Resynth is a push block-style game, a type of logic puzzle that appears frequently in the Professor Layton series and other adventure games. In them, you...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/resynth-turns-making-music-into-a-puzzle-game36730SimeonResynth turns making music into a puzzle gameI want to buy this YA trilogy about gene-hacking for every teen I know

Young adult science fiction can be hit or miss. Each genre tag is a challenge by itself; with science fiction, unless you’re already a scientist, you have to be able to speak the technical language to be taken seriously. With YA, the task is the same, just inverted — if your characters are young, you must inhabit the headspace of a teenager without coming off as an Tryhard Old™. YA sci-fi, then, is akin to walking a razor’s edge authority-wise: be brilliant and naïve simultaneously, or risk losing your audience from the jump.

Portland-based author Emily Suvada walks this line better than any YA author I’ve read with her in-progress trilogy, the second book of which, This Cruel Design, was published last month. Along with its predecessor,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/i-want-to-buy-this-ya-trilogy-about-gene-hacking-for-every-teen-i-know36727SimeonI want to buy this YA trilogy about gene-hacking for every teen I knowXbox chief admits Microsoft has ‘a ton of work to do on Windows’ for PC gamers

Microsoft’s Windows operating system is the go-to for PC gamers, but some aspects of Windows 10 have fallen short. One of the biggest criticisms is the Microsoft Store (Windows Store), that offers games and apps in a one-click install. Microsoft publishes all of its first-party games through the store, and PC gamers are forced to buy these games exclusively from the store.

Unfortunately, some games come with odd restrictions that you wouldn’t typically see in regular desktop PC games. These range from not supporting overlays from apps like Fraps or Discord, to no Nvidia Shadowplay support in some titles, and even no sound when you alt-tab out of a game in some Microsoft Store games. The download and install procedure for Microsoft Store...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/xbox-chief-admits-microsoft-has-a-ton-of-work-to-do-on-windows-for-pc-gamers36725SimeonXbox chief admits Microsoft has ‘a ton of work to do on Windows’ for PC gamersXbox One X drops to $399 in Microsoft’s Black Friday deals

Microsoft is offering its latest Xbox One X console at its lowest price point ever for Black Friday. The software maker is taking $100 off the Xbox One X, bringing it down to $399.99 during the Black Friday period. Microsoft’s deal will be available at a variety of retailers, but the company warns it’s a limited offer between November 18th and 26th.

Alongside the Xbox One X discount, there’s also $100 off the Xbox One S Minecraft bundle, and a $70 discount on other bundles that include games like Forza Horizon 4. Microsoft is also offering big discounts on games for the Xbox One, including 50 percent off Forza Motorsport 7 and Sea of Thieves, and 35 percent off a number of other first party titles. These deals will be available between...

Microsoft is continuing its push to create more exclusive titles for Xbox One. Earlier this year the software maker announced that five new studios would be joining Microsoft Studios, and now there’s more. Microsoft is acquiring inXile Entertainment and Obsidian Entertainment. Based in California, inXile was formed by Brian Fargo and now primarily develops RPG games like Wasteland 2.

Also based in California, Obsidian Entertainment is known for games like Fallout: New Vegas, South Park: The Stick of Truth, and the Pillars of Eternity series. Both studios are a solid way to fill an RPG gap that has existed on Xbox, and help Microsoft create more exclusive titles for the Xbox.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsofts-xbox-exclusives-push-continues-with-new-studio-acquisitions36709SimeonMicrosoft’s Xbox exclusives push continues with new studio acquisitionsXbox keyboard and mouse support launches next week with Fortnite, Warframe, and more

Microsoft announced Xbox One keyboard and mouse support back in September, and it’s now arriving on consoles next week. Starting November 14th, Xbox One will support keyboard and mouse in 14 games.

Fortnite and Warframe are the biggest names to offer the support at launch, alongside a variety of mainly indie titles:

Bomber Crew

Warface

Children of Morta

Minion Master

DayZ

Warframe

Strange Brigade

Warhammer Vermintide 2

Moonlighter

Wargroove

Vigor

Warthunder

X Morph Defense

Fortnite

It’s up to developers to implement keyboard and mouse support in Xbox One games. Fortnite in particular will match up keyboard and mouse players with other players using those same inputs to keep play balanced.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/xbox-keyboard-and-mouse-support-launches-next-week-with-fortnite-warframe-and-more36708Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O1WjFAi6RR_0gIERwzZfMlYI5ak=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62264429/tpina_160731_1175_0065.0.0.jpgXbox keyboard and mouse support launches next week with Fortnite, Warframe, and moreXbox keyboard and mouse support launches next week for Fortnite, Warframe, and more

Microsoft announced Xbox One keyboard and mouse support back in September, and it’s now arriving on consoles next week. Starting November 14th, Xbox One will support keyboard and mouse in 14 games.

Fortnite and Warframe are the biggest names to offer the support at launch, alongside a variety of mainly indie titles. While there are 14 confirmed games, only seven of them will be available during the initial launch of the keyboard and mouse feature. The rest are coming soon.

November:

Fortnite

Bomber Crew

Deep Rock Galactic

Strange Brigade

Vermintide 2

War Thunder

X-Morph Defense

Coming soon:

Children of Morta

DayZ

Minion Master

Moonlighter

Vigor

Warface

Wargroove

It’s up to developers to implement keyboard and mouse support in Xbox...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/xbox-keyboard-and-mouse-support-launches-next-week-for-fortnite-warframe-and-more36710SimeonXbox keyboard and mouse support launches next week for Fortnite, Warframe, and moreMicrosoft reveals Crackdown 3 will launch on February 15th, 2019

Microsoft is revealing a new Crackdown 3 release date today. The open-world crimefighting game has been delayed multiple times, and was originally supposed to arrive on November 7th, 2017. Microsoft pushed that release date to the second or third quarter of 2018 before revealing earlier this year that Crackdown 3 would appear in February 2019. It’s now set for a February 15th release date.

A lot of that extra time has been spent improving the game’s visuals, and to ensure it’s a better quality game all round. The original Crackdown was an expansive shooter with a mechanic that saw players hunting orbs to progress and upgrade their skills. Crackdown didn’t push players into a rigid set of quests to complete, instead you could complete any...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-reveals-crackdown-3-will-launch-on-february-15th-201936704SimeonMicrosoft reveals Crackdown 3 will launch on February 15th, 2019Microsoft adding PUBG to Xbox Game Pass on November 12th

Microsoft is adding Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) to the company’s Xbox Game Pass subscription on November 12th. The addition means Xbox One users who subscribe to Xbox Game Pass for $9.99 will now be able to access PUBG, alongside more than 100 others.

Microsoft’s move to add PUBG to Xbox Game Pass comes just as rumors suggest the game is about to launch on Sony’s PlayStation 4 in December. Microsoft appears to have paid for a year of exclusivity on the Xbox One for PUBG, but a move to PS4 opens the game up to millions more as it continues to battle with the popularity of rival Fortnite.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-adding-pubg-to-xbox-game-pass-on-november-12th36705SimeonMicrosoft adding PUBG to Xbox Game Pass on November 12thWatch Rocket Lab try again to launch its first commercial mission to space

Aerospace startup Rocket Lab will try again this weekend to launch its first commercial mission to space, a flight the company has dubbed “It’s Business Time.” The small satellite launcher is aiming to send up seven tiny probes into low Earth orbit on its Electron rocket. If successful, the flight will officially kick off commercial operations for the company, which has only pulled off two test flights so far.

Rocket Lab has had a hard time getting “It’s Business Time” up in the air, though. The company, which launches out of a private site in New Zealand, has tried multiple times to fly this particular mission, but had to stand down after noticing some weird behavior with one of the rocket’s motor controllers. After implementing a few...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/watch-rocket-lab-try-again-to-launch-its-first-commercial-mission-to-space36703SimeonWatch Rocket Lab try again to launch its first commercial mission to spaceLime issues recall for a scooter model after reports that they can break apart

Electric scooter company Lime is recalling an unspecified number of its vehicles after reports that they might break apart after “repeated abuse,” according to The Washington Post. The recall comes weeks after the company recalled some of its Segway Ninebot scooters after concerns over battery fires.

The Washington Post says that scooters manufactured by Chinese company Okai could break while in use, and that Lime will recall them from every city that they’re deployed in. Lime says that those models will be decommissioned, but did not tell the Post how many units are affected, or in which cities they’re being used in. The recall follows Lime’s disclosure about the Segway Ninebot models, in which the company notified users of issues with...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/lime-issues-recall-for-a-scooter-model-after-reports-that-they-can-break-apart36699SimeonLime issues recall for a scooter model after reports that they can break apart Nearly 150 West Virginians voted with a mobile blockchain app

This election season, the state of West Virginia implemented a blockchain-based voting app for the first time. The app, created by a company called Voatz, was first tested in two counties during the primaries earlier this year. After a successful test, it was used during the midterm election this past week at a wider scale. StateScoop reported that as few as 13 people used the app to vote in county primaries, a number that grew to nearly 150 people voting from 24 out of the 55 counties in the general midterm. A majority of these voters are currently deployed military members or Peace Corps volunteers.

The process for placing the ballot is simple but lengthy. The Voatz app is available for download for anyone on Apple’s App Store or the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/nearly-150-west-virginians-voted-with-a-mobile-blockchain-app36700SimeonNearly 150 West Virginians voted with a mobile blockchain appThe best deals from Alibaba’s Singles Day

Alibaba’s Singles Day is a huge international shopping event that originated in China and has now spread across the globe. Deals kicked off on November 6th, and shoppers everywhere from the US and UK to China and Indonesia are able to nab some good deals.

Many analysts, including App Annie and Adobe, predict that Singles Day will sell more than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined, based off of last year’s numbers. App Annie put the figure at over $32 billion, while Adobe is estimating $23.4 billion in sales.

Still, the holiday isn’t widely known here in the US. And for newcomers, it might not be clear how to get started grabbing deals. Here’s a quick tutorial on what you’ll need to know.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-best-deals-from-alibabas-singles-day36696SimeonThe best deals from Alibaba’s Singles DayStar Trek Discovery’s Michelle Yeoh might get her own spinoff show for CBS All Access

CBS All Access might be adding another Star Trek show to its lineup. Deadline reports that Michelle Yeoh is in talks to headline a standalone series for the streaming service, reprising her role of Emperor / Captain Philippa Georgiou.

Deadline says that the deal is still in the works, and that the series would likely jump off from Star Trek Discovery’s forthcoming second season. During the show’s first season, Georgiou was the captain of the USS Shenzhou before she was killed at the hands of the Klingons early on in the season. The crew of the USS Discovery later encountered her alternate counterpart when they traveled to the Mirror Universe, where she was the brutal Emperor of the Terran Empire. She would later return to the prime...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/star-trek-discoverys-michelle-yeoh-might-get-her-own-spinoff-show-for-cbs-all-access36690SimeonStar Trek Discovery’s Michelle Yeoh might get her own spinoff show for CBS All Access Early Black Friday sales and exclusive reader discounts are this week’s best deals

It’s still rather early in November, but Black Friday has more or less arrived. Almost every major retailer has announced its deals, including Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Costco. Among them, there are a few deals that eager shoppers can hop on right now. Of course, each store wants you to brave the madness on Black Friday to snag the doorbuster offers, but, by and large, you’ll be able to shop most of these deals right from your computer or phone at home.

There are some pretty great Black Friday deals already available. The best ones that we’ve seen so far are below, along with some other deals that are happening right now that we think you should know about.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/early-black-friday-sales-and-exclusive-reader-discounts-are-this-weeks-best-deals36691SimeonEarly Black Friday sales and exclusive reader discounts are this week’s best dealsApple launched a pair of repair programs for some iPhone X and 13-inch MacBook Pros

Apple launched a pair of repair programs to fix issues for some 13-inch, non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro and some iPhone Xs, as spotted by Bloomberg. Affected MacBook Pro models have an issue with their solid-state drive, while the iPhone X might have a faulty display module.

In the case of the MacBook Pro, the company says that a “limited number” of 128 GB and 256 GB non-Touch Bar models sold between June 2017 and June 2018 have an issue with their solid-state drives, which “may result in data loss and failure.” Apple (or an authorized dealer) will service for those models for free, and recommends getting them checked out sooner, rather than later. Owners can check on the service page to determine if their computer is eligible. The listing...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-launched-a-pair-of-repair-programs-for-some-iphone-x-and-13-inch-macbook-pros36686Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4zw9bCIt-t7IKX-Woh3lqQ3obRg=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62261773/vpavic_161031_1256_0064_2.0.jpgApple launched a pair of repair programs for some iPhone X and 13-inch MacBook ProsApple launched a pair of repair programs for some iPhone X and 13-inch MacBook Pro models

Apple launched a pair of repair programs to fix issues for some 13-inch, non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro and some iPhone Xs, as spotted by Bloomberg. Affected MacBook Pro models have an issue with their solid-state drive, while the iPhone X might have a faulty display module.

In the case of the MacBook Pro, the company says that a “limited number” of 128 GB and 256 GB non-Touch Bar models sold between June 2017 and June 2018 have an issue with their solid-state drives, which “may result in data loss and failure.” Apple (or an authorized dealer) will service for those models for free, and recommends getting them checked out sooner, rather than later. Owners can check on the service page to determine if their computer is eligible. The listing...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-launched-a-pair-of-repair-programs-for-some-iphone-x-and-13-inch-macbook-pro-models36692SimeonApple launched a pair of repair programs for some iPhone X and 13-inch MacBook Pro modelsNASA’s Europa lander may be in jeopardy after the midterms — and some are fine with seeing it go

]]>https://techfishnews.com/nasas-europa-lander-may-be-in-jeopardy-after-the-midterms-and-some-are-fine-with-seeing-it-go36687SimeonNASA’s Europa lander may be in jeopardy after the midterms — and some are fine with seeing it goRed Dead Redemption 2 player reveals the surprisingly complex lives of NPCs

Open-world games need characters to feel lived-in, but these characters need to actually do things for these settings to feel real — even if it’s just for background flavor. Most games can get away with having non-playable characters that don’t do much beyond walk around or loop their animations, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game obsessed with details. Every character, no matter how small, appears to have a routine.

There aren’t many reasons to become acquainted with the day-to-day lives of unimportant NPCs, so these routines are easy to miss. But fortunately YouTuber DefendTheHouse went ahead and did it for you. In the video above, they pick a few different characters and follow them around for a whole day, ultimately finding that...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/red-dead-redemption-2-player-reveals-the-surprisingly-complex-lives-of-npcs36682SimeonRed Dead Redemption 2 player reveals the surprisingly complex lives of NPCsOne easy thing Facebook should do in Myanmar

In March, human-rights investigators from the United Nations found that Facebook had played a role in spreading hate speech in Myanmar, fueling ethnic violence that has spurred more than 650,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee Myanmar’s Rakhine state into neighboring Bangladesh. The report, which came amid growing concerns about the way that social networks can incite violence, contained some of the most grave charges leveled against Facebook to date.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/what-a-ban-on-e-cigarette-flavors-could-mean-for-big-tobacco36656SimeonWhat a ban on e-cigarette flavors could mean for Big TobaccoFacebook is ending forced arbitration for sexual harassment complaints

Facebook will no longer force employees to settle sexual harassment claims in private arbitration, following a similar change at Google yesterday, according to The Wall Street Journal. Facebook reportedly announced the news to employees internally today, and vice president of people Lori Goler told the Journal that it wants to “be part of taking the next step” at “a pivotal moment” in the tech industry. It also announced an updated policy on dating among employees, requiring executives to disclose any romantic relationship with another employee, even if they aren’t overseeing that employee’s work.

Several companies — including Microsoft, Uber, and Lyft — have dropped forced arbitration clauses from sexual harassment claims. But Google’s...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-is-ending-forced-arbitration-for-sexual-harassment-complaints36657SimeonFacebook is ending forced arbitration for sexual harassment complaintsTesla releases track mode and a new key fob for the Model 3

With major production hurdles looking more like they’re in the rearview mirror, Tesla is starting to roll out small updates for the now tens of thousands of Model 3 owners in North America.

One of the stranger decisions Tesla made with the lower-cost Model 3 sedan was to give owners just two ways to unlock the car’s doors: with a credit card-sized key or with their smartphones. But the company has changed course and, Friday, started selling a $150 Model 3-shaped key fob on its website. (The key fob quickly sold out. We’ve asked Tesla when they’ll be back in stock, and will update when we hear back.)

The Model 3 key fob is different from the ones for the Model S and X in more than just its specific shape. It also doesn’t allow for...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tesla-releases-track-mode-and-a-new-key-fob-for-the-model-336658SimeonTesla releases track mode and a new key fob for the Model 3YouTube creators like Shane Dawson, Jake Paul are among SoCal wildfire evacuations

Thousands of Californians have evacuated their homes in the wake of disastrous wildfires over the past few days, and five have been killed. Among the most recent to leave their homes have been a number of YouTube creators, including Shane Dawson, Jake Paul, and members of FaZe Clan, as the affected region has become a popular place for creators to live and work.

There are currently three major fires affecting communities in Northern and Southern California, but the fires affecting some of YouTube’s creator communities are the Woolsey and Hill fires, which grew to 8,000 acres between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, according to CNN. Northern Los Angeles suburbs like Calabasas and Thousand Oaks, as well as much of Ventura County,...

The back of the device shows HDMI in and out ports to allow connection for additional devices like streaming boxes and game consoles. There’s also an Ethernet port and a USB port for software upgrades, but no coaxial port, suggesting that it’ll be an internet-only box. The device...

Facebook has quietly released an app called Lasso that lets users create fun, short videos designed to compete with TikTok, the viral 15-second video app that recently merged with Musical.ly. Lasso is Facebook’s latest bid to win over teens, which the large social media platform has lost its hold over. In 2018, only half of teens say they still use Facebook, compared to in 2014, when 71 percent of them said they did. The app was first reported as in development in late October.

On Lasso, users can record themselves dancing and lip-syncing to music, similar to what they can already do on TikTok. The app also lets users record short clips like Vines. It’s available on iOSand Android. Facebook told The Verge: “Lasso is a new standalone app...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-quietly-launches-a-tiktok-competitor-app-called-lasso36652SimeonFacebook quietly launches a TikTok competitor app called LassoPayPal is canceling accounts used by the Proud Boys, Gavin McInnes, and antifa groups

PayPal said today that it will cancel accounts used by far-right group the Proud Boys as well as multiple accounts from anti-fascist groups.

The move will make it much harder for the groups to raise money online. The decision is the latest act of “de-platforming” by the tech industry, which has been grappling with how to effectively handle users that promote hateful or violent ideologies. The news was first reported by BuzzFeed News’s Blake Montgomery.

the move will make it harder for the groups to raise money

The ban will include the Proud Boys account as well as an account used by its founder, Gavin McInnes, PayPal said. The company is also canceling accounts for Atlanta Antifa, Antifa Sacramento, and the Anti-Fascist Network. PayPal...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/paypal-is-canceling-accounts-used-by-the-proud-boys-gavin-mcinnes-and-antifa-groups36632SimeonPayPal is canceling accounts used by the Proud Boys, Gavin McInnes, and antifa groupsOverlord is a gloriously entertaining piece of B-movie schlock

For some people, labeling a film as a B-movie is a crushing bit of condescension, but for others, it’s high praise and an implicit recommendation. Between directing blockbusters like Star Trek and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams has spent the last few years eagerly embracing the latter point of view, producing outright B-movies through his company Bad Robot. Beginning with the found-footage monster movie Cloverfield, and continuing on with its spiritual successors 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Cloverfield Paradox, Abrams has used lower-budgeted genre mashups to let new and upcoming filmmakers hone their chops, mostly resulting in some entertaining films.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/overlord-is-a-gloriously-entertaining-piece-of-b-movie-schlock36633SimeonOverlord is a gloriously entertaining piece of B-movie schlockGiphy launches short video platform following first film festival

Giphy, the internet’s go-to platform for finding the perfect reaction GIF to send colleagues on Slack, soft-launched a new platform today dedicated to short-form video.

Giphy isn’t exactly Vine, but it’s not YouTube, either. It’s a site for short-form video (30 seconds or less) that people can upload and watch. Although the platform uses a more traditional form of video than GIFs, it’s a foray into the “future of entertainment,” according to a press release.

“Giphy is now looking to the future — the future of entertainment itself —and believes an important part of this will be micro-entertainment,” the release reads.

“Giphy is now looking to the future.”

A Giphy representative tells The Verge this is just a soft-launch event to...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/giphy-launches-short-video-platform-following-first-film-festival36634SimeonGiphy launches short video platform following first film festival Internet rallies around VoiceoverPete after he gets booted from Fiverr

Over the last three months, you might have seen a joke format that asks viewers to help pop culture figures by giving them their credit card number. That meme was the calling card of “VoiceoverPete,” an actor who delivers lines with such an impressive command that people were willing to pay him for custom videos — that is, until the website that hosted his services terminated his account for promoting scams. But VoiceoverPete’s career didn’t die there. Instead, an adoring public has now found a new way to pay Pete thousands of dollars for more memes.

By this point, there are many riffs on VoiceoverPete’s shtick, but the most famous one has to be a Fortnite video uploaded in October. “Attention all epic gamers,” the clip begins. “John...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/internet-rallies-around-voiceoverpete-after-he-gets-booted-from-fiverr36635SimeonInternet rallies around VoiceoverPete after he gets booted from FiverrGoogle hires a health care CEO to organize its fragmented health initiatives

Google has hired Geisinger Health CEO David Feinberg to oversee its many health care initiatives, reporting to AI chief Jeff Dean and working closely with CEO Sundar Pichai to organize Google’s various health-related ventures.

Google has been interested in health care for some time; its current efforts are quite fragmented, and they span across several teams and its parent Alphabet’s companies, including Nest, Verily, Calico, DeepMind, and Google Fit. In 2008, Google launched a project called Google Health, which aimed to unify patients’ medical data stored by different providers. It ultimately folded in 2013, and paved the way for Google Fit, a fitness ecosystem for Android phones and WearOS smartwatches. Google Fit is the company’s...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-hires-a-health-care-ceo-to-organize-its-fragmented-health-initiatives36627SimeonGoogle hires a health care CEO to organize its fragmented health initiativesDisney plans heavy investment in Hulu, wants more original series

Disney is gearing up to launch its own standalone streaming service next year, but that doesn’t mean the company is giving up on another prominent streaming platform — Hulu.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/disney-plans-heavy-investment-in-hulu-wants-more-original-series36613SimeonDisney plans heavy investment in Hulu, wants more original series This weekend, stream some ‘Nordic noir’ on Netflix, starting with Deadwind

There are so many streaming options available these days, and so many conflicting recommendations, that it’s hard to see through all the crap you could be watching. Each Friday, The Verge’s Cut the Crap column simplifies the choice by sorting through the overwhelming multitude of movies and TV shows on subscription services and recommending a single perfect thing to watch this weekend.

What to watch

The first episode of Deadwind (aka Karppi), a Finnish detective series that debuted earlier this year and did so well in its homeland that it’s already been renewed for a second season. Pihla Viitala stars as Sofia Karppi, a recently widowed Helsinki homicide detective who returns to work after a way-too-brief family leave. On the day of her...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/this-weekend-stream-some-nordic-noir-on-netflix-starting-with-deadwind36614SimeonThis weekend, stream some ‘Nordic noir’ on Netflix, starting with Deadwind Google is using AI to help The New York Times digitize 5 million historical photos

The New York Times doesn’t keep bodies in its “morgue” — it keeps pictures. In a basement under its Times Square office, stuffed into cabinets and drawers, the Times stores between 5 million and 7 million images, along with information about when they were published and why. Now, the paper is working with Google to digitize its huge collection.

The morgue (as the basement storage area is known) contains pictures going back to the 19th century, many of which exist nowhere else in the world. “[It’s] a treasure trove of perishable documents,” says the NYT’s chief technology officer Nick Rockwell. “A priceless chronicle of not just The Times’s history, but of nearly more than a century of global events that have shaped our modern world.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-is-using-ai-to-help-the-new-york-times-digitize-5-million-historical-photos36615SimeonGoogle is using AI to help The New York Times digitize 5 million historical photosAmazon strikes deal with Apple to sell new iPhones and iPads

Amazon has made a deal with Apple that will see the Cupertino tech company sell its products — including iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches — directly on Amazon, according to a report from CNET.

Amazon has sold Apple products before, but those have been from third-party sellers, which means that the prices are often variable (and wildly different from the “official” Apple prices) and that sourcing isn’t as reputable.

Rolling out on Amazon sites in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and India over the next few weeks

Apple products will start rolling out on Amazon sites in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and India over the next few weeks, including both Apple’s devices and those sold under the Apple-owned...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-strikes-deal-with-apple-to-sell-new-iphones-and-ipads36598SimeonAmazon strikes deal with Apple to sell new iPhones and iPadsSamsung has announced the Galaxy J4 Core, its second Android Go phone

Like the J2 Core, the J4 Core is still based on the Android 8.1 Oreo version of Android Go, not Android 9 Pie. Specs have been improved a bit for the J4 Core, though: it has a higher resolution 6-inch 1480 x 720 display, a larger 3,300mAh battery, and double the storage at 16GB.

The rest of the specs are similarly lackluster: a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM, although, fortunately, the whole point of Android Go is that it’s designed to work well on less-powerful devices. The cameras are also identical to the J2 Core: a rear 8-megapixel shooter and a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsung-has-announced-the-galaxy-j4-core-its-second-android-go-phone36599SimeonSamsung has announced the Galaxy J4 Core, its second Android Go phoneNot a cellphone in sight

Welcome to Fav’d For Later, a Friday roundup of our favorite memes, trends, and all-around good internet content. This week, I have been liberated by a meme.

Can I just say something real quick? People who yell at you to get off your phone and live in the moment are annoying. They’re annoying! God, that feels good.

As someone who spends 85 percent of my life online professionally, I get it. Comparing our lives to others on Instagram makes us sad. Facebook is where all your old high school acquaintances show off how racist they are. Twitter is a hellmouth parading as a social media site. We spend all this time swiping and tapping and liking and tweeting, and our phones keep us connected wherever we are.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/not-a-cellphone-in-sight36600SimeonNot a cellphone in sightThese are the technology advances that could end animal farming

On the very first page of The End of Animal Farming, author Jacy Reese makes it clear that the book is not about why animal farming is bad. There have been plenty of books chronicling the damage caused by factory farms, but his book is about how to solve animal farming itself.

Technology will be a big part of the answer, says Reese, an animal rights activist and research director at the Sentience Institute. Scientific advances have already brought us the plant-based Impossible Burger and the first lab-grown burger, but we have a ways to go before we can permanently switch to cultured meat.

The Verge spoke to Reese about technological advancements, why companies like Tyson are investing in alternative meat, and why we shouldn’t expect...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/these-are-the-technology-advances-that-could-end-animal-farming36601SimeonThese are the technology advances that could end animal farming Tetris Effect is a glorious love letter to Tetris

Tetris is a game that has followed me for my entire life. It’s the first video game I ever played on the NES, while the Game Boy iteration was the first portable experience I couldn’t put down. Since then, I’ve played it on nearly every device I’ve owned — from terrible mobile adaptations to freeware PC takes on the game. But despite being one of the most beloved and popular video games of all time, the current state of Tetris is rather dire. There are a handful of neat spinoffs, like Puyo Puyo Tetris, but most modern iterations are either gimmicky or just plain bad. It’s hard to find something that’s as good as the pure experience of the original.

Xiaomi’s Black Shark gaming phone was released in China earlier this year, and now, the device will launch in Europe on November 16th. The phone comes with a detachable gaming pad and liquid cooling with temperature reductions of 8 degrees Celsius. The Black Shark is powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor, Adreno 630 GPU, and it comes with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has a 4,000mAh battery and a 1080p 21:9 display.

The phone comes loaded with a stock Android interface that you can switch back and forth between the device’s gaming hub, which it calls “shark space.” Going into shark space mode will clear memory for better performance and disable notifications and calls.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-xiaomi-black-shark-gaming-phone-is-coming-to-europe36590SimeonThe Xiaomi Black Shark gaming phone is coming to EuropeSpaceX wants to fly some internet satellites closer to Earth to cut down on space trash

SpaceX is revising its satellite internet initiative, Starlink, and it now hopes to operate some of its spacecraft at a lower altitude than originally planned. In a new filing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX is asking the agency to modify its license so that more than 1,500 Starlink satellites can operate at an altitude 600 kilometers lower than the company originally requested.

SpaceX argues that this change will make the space environment safer, as it will be easier to get rid of these satellites at this new altitude when they run low on fuel or can no longer function properly in orbit. This update could also explain the unexpected behavior of two of SpaceX’s test satellites for Starlink, which have remained in...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/spacex-wants-to-fly-some-internet-satellites-closer-to-earth-to-cut-down-on-space-trash36591SimeonSpaceX wants to fly some internet satellites closer to Earth to cut down on space trashNew Apple patent hints that rumored over-ear headphones could be reversible

The patent claims describe a system where each ear cup would have five microphones on it to be used to determine which ear cup is which through a variety of complicated methods involving comparing relative microphone inputs.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/new-apple-patent-hints-that-rumored-over-ear-headphones-could-be-reversible36581SimeonNew Apple patent hints that rumored over-ear headphones could be reversibleThe fake video era of US politics has arrived on Twitter

On Wednesday, CNN reporter Jim Acosta had a pointed exchange with the president over immigration during a press conference, resulting in the Trump administration banning him from the White House. During the exchange, a Trump aide attempted to wrestle his microphone away from him. Today, a partisan war broke out over what a video of that incident really showed — and in so doing, seemed to herald the arrival of an era in which manipulated videos further erode the boundaries between truth and fiction.

When Trump insulted Acosta at the press conference, a White House intern approached him and tried to physically remove a microphone from his hands. Their arms touched as the woman reached across Acosta’s...

Denholm joined the Tesla board in 2014, but she had just taken a job as CFO at Telstra Corp, an Australian communications company, a month ago. (She was previously chief operating officer for the company.) She’s quitting to take the chairwoman gig. A month ago, Denholm said...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/teslas-new-chairwoman-is-walking-into-sec-and-doj-probes36575SimeonTesla’s new chairwoman is walking into SEC and DOJ probesiFixit’s MacBook Air teardown is here, and there’s good and bad news

When Apple announced its long-awaited 2018 MacBook Air, it proudly called the refresh its “greenest Mac ever” thanks to its shell which is made from 100 percent recycled aluminum. Now, a teardown from iFixit suggests it’s also a much easier laptop to repair than Apple’s other recent models — even if it doesn’t manage to score as well as the 2015 MacBook Air.

In particular, the teardown notes that the new model relies much more on adhesive strips rather than the “gooey solvents” of previous models. These strips can be easily pulled off to take apart the laptop, whereas the solvents “booby-trapped” the process previously. The teardown also confirms recent reports that the 2018 MacBook Air’s battery is much easier to replace.

A federal judge from Montana has blocked construction of the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline. US District Judge Brian Morris said that the Trump administration’s 2017 decision to move forward with the project disregarded “inconvenient factual determinations” about the 1,184-mile-long pipeline’s impact on the climate made under Obama. Construction of the $8 billion project, which was due to begin as early as next year, is now halted until the State Department completes a supplemental environmental review.

In late 2015, President Barack Obama rejected the pipeline, saying it would undercut America’s leadership in the fight against climate change. But President Trump reversed the decision shortly after being sworn in. Under Trump,...

California EV startup Faraday Future is arguing there’s hope of moving forward without its main financial backer, Chinese real estate conglomerate Evergrande, according to a new court filing in California.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/faraday-future-says-its-main-investor-is-deliberately-starving-it-into-bankruptcy36553SimeonFaraday Future says its main investor is ‘deliberately starving’ it into bankruptcyAmazon told employees it would continue to sell facial recognition software to law enforcement

Amazon has come under fire of late for the licensing of its controversial Rekognition system, a powerful piece of facial recognition software, to government and law enforcement agencies, with the most recent development involving revelations that Amazon met with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the summer to strike a deal for Rekognition use. Now, Amazon employees are grilling the company’s leadership over the selling of such technology, especially when it could be used to track human beings and send them back into potentially dangerous environments overseas.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-told-employees-it-would-continue-to-sell-facial-recognition-software-to-law-enforcement36548SimeonAmazon told employees it would continue to sell facial recognition software to law enforcementThe White House used a doctored video to tell a lie

Yesterday, in Donald Trump’s first press conference following the midterm elections that swept a number of Democrats into Congress on Tuesday night, CNN correspondent Jim Acosta had a contentious interaction with the president. Those few seconds have, in the intervening 24 hours, launched a nationwide conversation about doctored videos.

“They’re hundreds and hundreds of miles away. That’s not an invasion,” Acosta said, referring to the “caravan” of migrants seeking asylum in the US that Trump had demonized in the run-up to the elections. “I think you should let me run the country, you run CNN. If you did it well, your ratings would be much better,” Trump replied. As Acosta tried to ask another question, a White House intern went to grab...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-white-house-used-a-doctored-video-to-tell-a-lie36542SimeonThe White House used a doctored video to tell a lieDisney announces a second live-action Star Wars show

Disney announced today that it is developing a second live-action Star Wars show for its upcoming, newly named streaming video platform, Disney+, with actor Diego Luna reprising the role of Rebel Alliance spy Cassian Andor.

Andor was a pivotal character in the 2016 standalone Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. He played one of the Rebel Alliance spies who helped transmit the plans for the Death Star to his compatriots before perishing on the planet Scarif, setting up the events of A New Hope. In the announcement, Luna noted that he’s looking forward to reprising the character, and that “this new exciting format will give us a chance to explore this character more deeply.” Disney also confirmed that it’s developing a series based on Loki...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/disney-announces-a-second-live-action-star-wars-show36536SimeonDisney announces a second live-action Star Wars showDisney’s long-awaited streaming service will be called Disney+

Disney has announced the name for its upcoming streaming service: Disney+, scheduled to launch in the US in “late 2019.”

The cheapest of the major internet TV streaming services, Sling TV isn’t drawing new subscribers quite like it used to. Yesterday, parent company Dish said Sling TV picked up only 26,000 new subscribers in the third quarter of 2018 and acknowledged that the service had drawn “fewer” customers compared to its performance over the few quarters prior. (Sling TV reported 41,000 new subscribers in Q2 and 91,000 in Q1.) In the year-ago quarter, subscriber gains were 240,000.

One possible reason for the sluggish growth is pretty simple: price. Back in June, Sling TV raised the price of its base Orange subscription from $19.99 to $25. Five bucks might not seem like much, but it matters to customers who have taken to these streaming TV services...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/sling-tv-growth-slows-dramatically-amid-hbo-standoff-and-greater-competition36538SimeonSling TV growth slows dramatically amid HBO standoff and greater competitionWalt Mossberg reacts to the new MacBook Air on The Vergecast

Another review week! Hosts of The Vergecast Nilay Patel and Dieter Bohn reviewed Apple’s new iPad Pro and MacBook Air, and discuss their take on this week’s show. In addition, we call up our friend and former Verge executive editor Walt Mossberg — who has been a big proponent of the last iteration of the MacBook — to give us his first impressions of the new laptop.

There’s a whole lot more talk in between all of that — like Paul’s segment he does every week “#donglewut?” and Liz Lopatto’s “This Week in Elon” — so listen to it all to get it all.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/walt-mossberg-reacts-to-the-new-macbook-air-on-the-vergecast36523SimeonWalt Mossberg reacts to the new MacBook Air on The VergecastHarley-Davidson debuts its first electric motorcycle, coming 2019

After toying with the idea for the better part of four years, Harley-Davidson this week showed off its first electric motorcycle at the Milan Motorcycle Show. The electric bike drops in 2019, but the company is holding back on to all the important specs about speed, range, and charging for now.

The bike will carry the same “LiveWire” name used when it was still a prototype, but it otherwise looks like a much more complete design and, frankly, a refreshing new vision for what a Harley-Davidson motorcycle should look like in 2019. The company could use some help, too. While the motorcycle industry as a whole has struggled since the 2008 financial crisis, Harley-Davidson in particular has suffered a number of losses and layoffs. It has also...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/harley-davidson-debuts-its-first-electric-motorcycle-coming-201936524SimeonHarley-Davidson debuts its first electric motorcycle, coming 2019Google confirms dark mode is a huge help for battery life on Android

We’ve known for a long time that dark mode / night mode apps can prolong battery life on smartphones with OLED screens. It’s true on Android, and it’s true with the iPhone. This is because the individual pixels have to do less work on dark areas of the screen, and they use practically no juice at all when displaying true black. As SlashGear picked up on, Google reiterated this during its Android Dev Summit this week, showing several slides that compare the power draw of several different colors. (The company used its original Pixel smartphone for these data points.)

You can see that white far and away uses up the most power. This led Google to acknowledge that the prominence of white across its own apps and within...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-confirms-dark-mode-is-a-huge-help-for-battery-life-on-android36525SimeonGoogle confirms dark mode is a huge help for battery life on AndroidBest Buy’s Black Friday sales start today, with big discounts on Surface Pro, Ring Video Doorbell 2, and more

Best Buy is launching some of its best Black Friday discounts today, while many more will begin at 5PM ET on Thanksgiving day. Today’s deals include a discounted Surface Pro with a Type Cover included, a Ring Video Doorbell 2 with a free Amazon Echo Dot (third-gen) and several TV deals. If you want to brave the rush of shoppers, the retailer is hosting a few doorbuster sales that start at 8AM ET on Black Friday (November 23rd) though the brunt of its deals will be available on or before Thanksgiving, including its deal on the PS4 Slim with Spider-Man included.

Amazon, Costco, Walmart, and Target have each detailed their Black Friday plans, and we’ve added Best Buy’s below. We’ll be adding and removing items in order to reflect what’s...

Best Buy is launching some of its best Black Friday discounts today, while many more will begin at 5PM ET on Thanksgiving day. Today’s deals include a discounted Surface Pro 6 with a Type Cover included, a Ring Video Doorbell 2 with a free Amazon Echo Dot (third-gen) and several TV deals. If you want to brave the rush of shoppers, the retailer is hosting a few doorbuster sales that start at 8AM ET on Black Friday (November 23rd) though the brunt of its deals will be available on or before Thanksgiving, including its deal on the PS4 Slim with Spider-Man included.

Amazon, Costco, Walmart, and Target have each detailed their Black Friday plans, and we’ve added Best Buy’s below. We’ll be adding and removing items in order to reflect what’s...

Wireless chargers are super convenient. Sure, they might not be as fast as a wired option, but there’s nothing easier than just dropping your phone on a pad to charge. While the chargers may be useful, they’re kind of ugly: even the nicest-looking pads kind of look like you accidentally left a hockey puck on your end table. That that’s where Twelve South’s PowerPic comes in. It hides a wireless charger inside of a regular 5x7 picture frame, allowing you to put the pad in plain sight.

Twelve South also recommends setting the wallpaper on your phone to match the print, so that even when you’re charging, you’ll still be able to see the picture, unobscured. It’s a better idea in theory than in practice since phones don’t actually keep their...

1More is offering a 25 percent discount on its entire catalog of headphones exclusively for readers of The Verge. If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, 1More makes headphones that, according to Vlad Savov’s positive experience with the Triple Driver in-ear headphones, you really ought to hear for yourself. Until November 21st, use the offer code VERGE25 at checkout to take 25 percent off of your purchase, which stacks atop of 1More’s current promotion for even more savings.

The company offers a mix of headphones to suit different fit preferences (you’ll find on-ear, in-ear, and over-ear) and budgets, starting at $19.99 and topping out at $149.99 for its Bluetooth headphones or wired Quad Driver earbuds. Of course, applying the discount...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/save-25-percent-on-headphones-from-1more36528SimeonSave 25 percent on headphones from 1MoreEven for the Harry Potter hardcore, Crimes of Grindelwald is one convoluted movie

Warning: spoilers ahead for the 2016 film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Even in their earliest, most child-friendly days, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books were never particularly simplistic. From the beginning, they introduced a crowded cast and a busy, messy world. And while her characters often fell into basic stereotypes or seemed more like story pegs and protagonist accessories than like people, there were certainly a lot of them. It was an early hint that as she kept expanding the world, she was going to go deep into its history and explore how the connections between people in the past affected the series’s present and future.

The latest film set in Rowling’s Potterverse — Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/even-for-the-harry-potter-hardcore-crimes-of-grindelwald-is-one-convoluted-movie36529SimeonEven for the Harry Potter hardcore, Crimes of Grindelwald is one convoluted movie HTC’s China-exclusive Vive Focus VR headset is now launching worldwide

HTC will start selling its standalone Vive Focus virtual reality headset worldwide today, after an initial launch in China earlier this year. The headset, which will cost $599 in the US, is aimed at business customers in 37 countries. It’s part of a larger attempt to make HTC VR headsets appealing to companies, including a newly announced collaboration app called Vive Sync, which lets employees in different offices meet and work together in VR.

The Vive Focus is a self-contained mobile headset that tracks a user’s motion with outward-facing cameras — similar to the upcoming $399 Oculus Quest headset. HTC announced it after canceling a similar headset based on Google’s Daydream VR platform, and it was initially unclear whether the Vive...

Vine lives, according to co-creator Dom Hofmann. The entrepreneur, who’s been working on and off on a spiritual successor to the now-defunct short-form video app, says the proper sequel will be called Byte, and it’s coming in spring 2019.

Twitter initially purchased Vine in 2012, before its official launch, and shut it down roughly four years later. Despite its short-lived existence, Vine became a hugely popular platform for video creators, many of whom have since moved on to Instagram, Twitch, and YouTube. In Vine’s place, TikTok, from a Chinese company coincidentally known as ByteDance, has risen to inherit the short-form video torch, albeit with a lot of cringe-worthy lip-sync content.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/jupiter-ascending-is-getting-a-new-life-in-ballet36514SimeonJupiter Ascending is getting a new life in ballet Virgin Hyperloop One taps Citi Bike’s Jay Walder as new CEO

Virgin Hyperloop One has found a new CEO, and it’s someone who knows a thing or two about running both big and small transportation systems. Jay Walder, who recently left his position as CEO of bike-share operator Motivate, will become the new chief executive of the futuristic transportation company. Walder will replace Rob Lloyd, who served as CEO for three years.

The company also selected a new chairperson to replace Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson, who stepped down last month. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of Dubai’s DP World, was named to that position.

Walder is certainly an interesting choice with an impressive résumé

Walder is certainly an interesting choice with an impressive résumé. He ran New York City’s...

After AT&T and Verizon both lowered their prepaid unlimited data plan prices, T-Mobile is following in the footsteps of its competitors by offering a discount on its prepaid unlimited data plan. For a limited time, customers can sign up for a $50 per month prepaid plan with unlimited talk, text, and 4G LTE data.

That puts T-Mobile’s plan at a much cheaper price than Verizon’s $65 prepaid plan, which doesn’t include mobile hotspots. That said, T-Mobile’s plan limits mobile tethering to 3G speeds and video streaming to 480p. The plan is only for domestic use, too, whereas Verizon’s plan offers unlimited talk and texting in the US, Mexico, and Canada, along with unlimited texting to over 200 countries.

Over the last few days, controversy has surrounded a widely viewed clip where a Red Dead Redemption 2 player gleefully feeds an in-game feminist to an alligator. After the press reported that the clip had been viewed nearly a million times by commenters who cheered the action, the uploader temporarily got his entire channel terminated from YouTube. Hours later, YouTube reversed its decision and conceded that its content reviewers sometimes make “mistakes.”

The YouTube video in question first gained mainstream attention via Motherboard, a publication which linked to a YouTuber named Shirrako who had uploaded two contentious clips. The first, which has been viewed 1.6 million times, features Shirrako punching out a suffragette NPC who...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/youtube-reverses-ban-for-streamer-who-killed-red-dead-2-feminist36489SimeonYouTube reverses ban for streamer who killed Red Dead 2 feministCigarette smoking hits a low in the US, but don’t thank vapes for it

The number of cigarette smokers in the US hit the lowest levels public health officials have ever seen, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced today. But even though e-cigarette companies tout vapes as alternatives to cigarettes, this dramatic drop in smoking isn’t necessarily because of a rise in vaping.

Only about 14 percent of Americans over the age of 18 smoked cigarettes last year, down from more than 40 percent in 1965, the CDC reports. The record low number of cigarette smokers is good news: smoking kills nearly half a million Americans every year, making it the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the US. The bad news is that there are still populations where smoking is worryingly common —...

Ahead of the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a rumor began circulating that J.K. Rowling was going to kill off Harry’s best friend, Ron Weasley. That didn’t happen, though Rowling admits she seriously considered it. But the fact that the idea was so believable reveals a problem with Chosen One stories. They create a narrative power imbalance where the main character’s best friends can never be their equal. They can be killed off to show the situation is serious, but even if they survive, they’re relegated to emotional support and comic relief. They’re sidekicks at best, accessories at worst.

But they can choose another path. The heart of Netflix and DreamWorks’ animated reboot series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is...

T-Mobile announced today that since launching its Scam ID and Scam Block features 18 months ago, the carrier has blocked over 1 billion scam calls. T-Mobile says it’s also ready to adopt the new FCC SHAKEN/STIR standards that allow customers to receive verified calls.

Robocalls in the US have reached an all-time high, with an estimated 147 million spam calls being made per day. The ease of becoming a robocaller has lowered the barrier to entry, and scammers have begun a form of “neighborhood spoofing,” in which they call from the target phone number’s own area code to increase the chance of a call being picked up. T-Mobile says it’s improving its Scam ID and Scam Block features to protect customers against this type of robocall.

What started as a small planned protest against the company’s handling of a sexual misconduct case has expanded into a full-blown political awakening at Google. Employees who organized last week’s unexpectedly massive 20,000-person walkout at Google offices worldwide are now pushing company leadership to institute new policy changes and put in place better protections for employees.

The spark was the revelation that Android co-founder Andy Rubin was paid $90 million to leave the company in 2014, following a sexual assault allegation. Yet Google’s mishandling of the case is just the latest misstep from the search giant this year that has contributed to a widening gap of trust between executive leadership and employees. Protest organizers...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-employees-push-back-after-mishandled-sexual-harassment-revelations36493SimeonGoogle employees push back after mishandled sexual harassment revelationsPinterest gets a redesigned feed that looks a lot like Instagram

First launched back in March, Pinterest’s friend feed provided a dedicated section of the service where you could follow posts from other users. Now, this feed is getting a redesign, removing the tiled images in favor of a simpler single column of posts, Instagram-style. There are even horizontal rows of Pinterest-recommended accounts that you can follow.

Aside from the change in layout, the chronological feed still works more or less the same way as it did before. You can tap on a red “Save” button below an image to save it to a board, or tap on the image directly to be linked out to a piece of content.

Image: PinterestThe redesign means the posts will mostly be displayed one by one.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/pinterest-gets-a-redesigned-feed-that-looks-a-lot-like-instagram36494SimeonPinterest gets a redesigned feed that looks a lot like InstagramChrome will start warning users if a site might unexpectedly bill them

Starting with the release of Chrome 71 in December, your browser will warn you about sites that might try and bill you without your full knowledge or consent. Specifically, the measures are targeting mobile billing services, where little more than your phone number is needed to place additional charges on your monthly bill. According to Google, millions of Chrome users encounter pages with unclear or insufficient mobile subscription information every month.

In order to not get flagged, sites will have to make sure they’re being upfront about any charges that may hit Chrome users. That means making billing information obvious, not trying to obscure it by placing gray text on a white background, for example, and not using a fee structure...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/chrome-will-start-warning-users-if-a-site-might-unexpectedly-bill-them36495Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nmpcFE6GJi7M0nAkI2AoskcRtf4=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62217773/acastro_180416_1777_chrome_0001.0.jpgChrome will start warning users if a site might unexpectedly bill themLeague of Legends adds a neon look in celebration of its virtual K-pop star

During the League of Legends World Championships this past weekend, developer Riot Games kicked off its ceremony with an augmented reality performance, a mashup of real-life K-pop group (G)I-DLE, and LoL’s fictional group, K/DA. In addition to the live performance of “Pop/Stars,” the developer also released a music video featuring all four of its virtual stars. But one character in particular caught the attention of fans: Akali, whose neon look will soon roll out in the game as a free update.

Akali is hard to miss in the “Pop/Stars” video. As soon as the lights go out, her look shifts from a singer to a neon demon. In-game, this skin will alter the look of her “twilight shroud” ability.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/league-of-legends-adds-a-neon-look-in-celebration-of-its-virtual-k-pop-star36496Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/v7Sr3IlzFMSCsrBRgj6eBVCO2eA=/70x0:978x605/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62235453/Screen_Shot_2018_11_08_at_10.50.36_AM.0.pngLeague of Legends adds a neon look in celebration of its virtual K-pop starGoogle announces new sexual assault and harassment rules after mass protest

Google is announcing new policies around sexual harassment and diversity, following a worldwide employee protest last week. The new policies reflect demands from the protestors, who met with Google leadership earlier this week. “We recognize that we have not always gotten everything right in the past and we are sincerely sorry for that. It’s clear we need to make some changes,” wrote CEO Sundar Pichai in an email to employees, which he posted publicly today.

Pichai wrote that Google “will provide more transparency on how we handle concerns. We’ll give better support and care to the people who raise them. And we will double down on our commitment to be a representative, equitable, and respectful workplace.” He included a summary of the...

Spin, the dockless electric scooter startup, has a new owner: Ford. The news broke yesterday, and the auto giant officially confirmed the acquisition on Thursday morning. It probably won’t come as a big shock to those watching this fast-growing space. E-scooter startups that are barely a year old have spread like wildfire across the globe and seen their valuations skyrocket. It was only a matter of time until a company like Ford, which has funneled revenue from SUV and truck sales into a variety of mobility projects over the years, would eventually buy some scooters.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/ford-adds-electric-scooter-startup-to-its-growing-mobility-collection36478Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PKvfBnpVHLpmW5Q2yMYLQdnUVLM=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62236043/DSC_0276.0.jpgFord adds electric scooter startup to its growing mobility collectionRazer Blade 15 dual storage review: too much compromiseIf it’s thicker, less powerful, and cheaper is it still the same machine?

YouTube is launching on the Nintendo Switch today. It becomes just the second major video app to be released on the console since the Switch hit shelves in March 2017. (Hulu led the way last November.) YouTube can be downloaded for free from the Nintendo eShop.

The app is exactly what you’d expect, offering access to the platform’s endless selection of videos. And YouTube also points out that the Switch version fully supports 360 videos. You can control YouTube with the Switch's left joystick and main buttons. And the touchscreen partially works in handheld mode, which will make searching for videos and tapping into them a lot easier. I say partially because you can’t swipe up and down to navigate around the app, which is unfortunate....

Netflix will release a slate of new anime series, including ones based on Pacific Rim and Altered Carbon.

Deadline reports that in addition to the Pacific Rim and Altered Carbon shows, the slate will include Cagaster of an Insect Cage, a series from Gonzo that’s set in a post-apocalyptic world where a disease has turned people into giant insects; Yasuke, which is about a former warrior tasked with protecting a child targeted by dark forces; and Trese, which is based on a Philippine graphic novel about a woman going up against elements of a supernatural criminal underworld. The news comes just a day after Netflix revealed that it was developing an extensive slate of family-oriented animated shows from the creators of Moana, Inside Out,...

Xiaomi’s international expansion is taking a major step forward today with the Chinese company’s debut in the United Kingdom. A year and a day after launching a range of products in Spain, Xiaomi’s European foray is arriving in the UK, headlined by the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro Android flagship phone and the opening of an Authorized Mi Store in the Westfield shopping center in London.

Europe has proven highly receptive to Xiaomi’s charms of high-spec devices at breakthrough prices. The company has 10 stores up and running in Spain, it expanded into France and Italy in May, and now it’s coming to one of the biggest and most hotly contested consumer electronics markets in the region.

One of the differences between the iPhone XS and XR is the latter’s lack of support for 3D Touch, the feature that lets you press slightly harder on your phone’s screen to access certain shortcuts or “peek” at links. However, with iOS 12.1.1, 9to5Mac reports that Haptic Touch will offer one of those 3D Touch features — expanding your notifications — to iPhone XR owners.

Haptic Touch was a feature introduced with the iPhone XR that lets you get some of the same functionality as 3D Touch without having the specialized hardware. For now, it’s largely limited to launching the camera or flashlight on the lock screen or adjusting Control Center settings. To access it, long-press on your phone’s screen, and a bit of haptic feedback will confirm...

If it seems like it’s too early to start planning for Black Friday, you’d be wrong! Target, Amazon and Costco have already started sharing early Black Friday deals, and now Walmart has just released its upcoming discounts. There are significant price cuts on consoles including the Xbox One X, PS4 1TB, and Nintendo Switch, so make sure to take advantage of these deals.

Walmart.com online deals start as early as 10PM ET on Wednesday, November 21st, but in-store sales will begin at 6PM on Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd. We’ll be adding and removing items in order to reflect what’s currently available, and make sure to check back to The Verge for Cyber Monday deals when they become available.

After launching Facebook Dating in Colombia in September, the company is now expanding its test markets to two new countries: Canada and Thailand. The test also includes a few new features that let you look back at someone you may have previously passed on, or pause from the whole dating scene altogether.

The first feature is called Second Look, a self-explanatory tool that allows you to reconsider a previous right swipe. That might be helpful as more people sign on to use the feature since it’s still very new. The second update lets you pause matching in case you’re no longer looking to date, whether that’s because you’ve found someone or are sick of the whole online dating scene. (For more help on how to navigate that, check out my...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-expands-its-dating-feature-test-to-canada-and-thailand36452SimeonFacebook expands its dating feature test to Canada and ThailandAlexa now available on Windows 10 PCs

Amazon is releasing its Alexa app for Windows 10 today. While the app has been available on select Windows 10 laptops recently, today marks its launch in the Microsoft Store for all Windows 10 PCs. You can download and install it on any Windows 10 PC, but only compatible devices will support Alexa wake word functionality. If you don’t have a compatible PC then you can hit the button within the app to speak to Alexa, or invoke the assistant using a keyboard shortcut.

The Alexa for Windows 10 app includes access to now playing to control music and the ability, like any other Alexa app, to control smart home devices. Video, calls, Spotify, and Pandora are all not currently supported within this Alexa for Windows 10 app, though. Amazon...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/alexa-now-available-on-windows-10-pcs36453SimeonAlexa now available on Windows 10 PCsThe Tidal app is now available on Samsung Wearable devices

Music streaming service Tidal has announced that it is launching its app on Samsung Wearable devices, which include the latest Galaxy Watch, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Gear S2, and fitness bands including Gear Fit2 Pro and Gear Fit2. This is Tidal’s first app for wearables.

In the app, a “Main Menu” screen will be the jump-off point for users to access their music collection. Within that is an “Explore” section for serving up editorial content and searching through Tidal’s catalog and playlists. The “My Collection” screen shows users their favorite content. Users will be able to download content to revisit when offline, and Tidal is highlighting this in combination with its workout playlists to appeal to fitness-minded Samsung Wearable owners.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-tidal-app-is-now-available-on-samsung-wearable-devices36454SimeonThe Tidal app is now available on Samsung Wearable devicesGoogle’s Files Go hits 30 million users and is getting a new name

The year-old app is now used by 30 million people each month, according to Google, and it says that plenty of people outside of the app’s target demographic have been using it, prompting this change.

It’s way better than the built-in file manager

Files Go was meant to help manage files on devices with small amounts of storage, in part by offering users suggestions on what they can delete. But the app was also just a really good file browser — way better than the one built into Android by default. And that seems...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/googles-files-go-hits-30-million-users-and-is-getting-a-new-name36455SimeonGoogle’s Files Go hits 30 million users and is getting a new nameNetflix shows off eye tracking and ‘jump to shark’ button from its latest Hack Day

In the past, Netflix’s biannual Hack Day has produced some silly inventions, like making a remote control with a single button that lets you use Morse code to search through its catalog. For its most recent Hack Day, Netflix engineers and designers devised a few more ideas. Some could actually be pretty useful at improving accessibility for users with disabilities, and others let you skip to the good stuff in movies with sharks in them.

In what should clearly become a permanent feature, Netflix engineers Juliano Moraes and Shivaun Robinson created a “Jump to Shark” button that can only be used in Sharknado. The “Jump to Shark” button looks a lot like the “Skip Intro” button, but instead of letting you skip title sequences, it lets you...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/netflix-shows-off-eye-tracking-and-jump-to-shark-button-from-its-latest-hack-day36456SimeonNetflix shows off eye tracking and ‘jump to shark’ button from its latest Hack DayThis queer horror game forces you to literally tear yourself apart

Early on in The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories, the heroine dies. For video games, this isn’t that unusual. What is unusual is what happens afterward: she picks herself up, snaps her bones back into place, and keeps going. J.J., a college student with flowing blonde hair, has a missing friend to find, and if she has to tear her body apart to get where she’s going, she will.

The Missing is not the game it appears to be. The sidescrolling platformer initially seems like the sort of quirky, inventive, and slightly clumsy game we’ve come to expect from its lauded Japanese writer and director, Swery. In reality, The Missing is a stunning queer narrative about the brutality of trying to become who you are, and an argument...

Comcast might be getting ready to cut the cord: the company is reportedly planning a streaming set-top box for its internet customers, according to CNBC.

The upcoming box is said to be able to combine offerings from various streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube in a single, centralized place, along with a remote that features voice control for navigation. Comcast also intends for the set-top box to be a smart home hub, letting users control things like lights and thermostats directly from their TV. In other words, it sounds a lot like Comcast’s X1 cable box, minus the cable part, or like Apple’s Apple TV, Amazon’s Fire TV, and Roku’s slate of set-top boxes that it’ll have to compete against.

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re ready for a vacation, but you don’t want to pay a travel agent, you’re not sure where to start, and / or you’re a DIY kind of person who’s willing to put in some elbow grease for more control over costs and trip structures. Travel planning can actually be one of the more fulfilling parts of taking a vacation, as the anticipation often builds excitement ahead of your getaway. Here are some excellent resources for travel deals, activity guides, finding places to stay, and how to put it all together.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on July 28th, 2017 and has been updated to include more tools, apps, and a featured video.

In the past few years, Shinola’s been getting into the audio market in the form of fancy, expensive headphones, speakers, and turntables. Now the company is releasing its first pair of Bluetooth wireless earbuds, called the Shinola Bluetooth In-Ear Monitors. The earbuds are made in collaboration with headphones startup Campfire Audio; the two companies previously partnered on Shinola’s Canfield wired in-ear and over-ear headphones.

The headphones come in black or silver, and they provide around 12 hours of playback. There’s fast charging via USB-C and the headphones come with a USB-A to USB-C cable. The Bluetooth 4.2 earbuds can connect to two devices simultaneously and support codecs for aptX, aptX HD, and AAC.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/shinola-releases-250-bluetooth-earbuds-with-usb-c-and-replaceable-cable36441Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gLQ3_2-Q9nLPeEf5gwpKf-wGeKY=/0x1369:4361x4276/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62212577/Shinola_BT_IEM_Lifestyle.0.jpgShinola releases $250 Bluetooth earbuds with USB-C and replaceable cableNorth Korea-linked hackers stole tens of millions from ATMs across the world

Hackers with links to the North Korean government used sophisticated Trojan malware dubbed “Trojan.Fastcash” to steal tens of millions of dollars from ATMs across Asia and Africa, according to a report from the cybersecurity firm Symantec. The hacking group, known as Lazarus, used the malware to infect the servers controlling the ATMs, allowing them to intercept their own fraudulent transaction requests and withdraw cash.

Similar ATM attacks have been raising alarms since late 2016, according to a warning released last month by Homeland Security’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), the organization responsible for analyzing and reducing cyber threats. One event in 2017 saw cash simultaneously withdrawn from ATMs across 30...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/north-korea-linked-hackers-stole-tens-of-millions-from-atms-across-the-world36442Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tgbEcjpYOi6UXi7GgizAkUDGO5U=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62232597/acastro_170621_1777_0007_v2_0001_2.0.jpgNorth Korea-linked hackers stole tens of millions from ATMs across the worldSony’s PlayStation Classic is as simple and fun as you’d expect

Still, if you’re a fan of the mini-console trend and a sucker for retro gaming nostalgia, the PS Classic is going to satisfy most of your needs. Sony invited members of the press down to its San Mateo, California offices earlier this week to get a good look at the console and play any of its games for a few hours. The most obvious takeaway I can provide is that...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/sonys-playstation-classic-is-as-simple-and-fun-as-youd-expect36426SimeonSony’s PlayStation Classic is as simple and fun as you’d expectThe foldable phones are coming

Futuristic-looking bendable tablets and smartphones have captured our imagination for years. Whether it’s the folding tablets found in Westworld or the many book-like slates with foldable pages in Microsoft’s future vision videos, a phone that folds out into a much larger device is dreamlike. Samsung is now trying to make these wild concepts a reality.

Fossil has announced its first smartwatch with a Snapdragon 3100 chip and Google’s redesigned Wear OS. The wearable, called the Sport Smartwatch, comes in six different colors — gray, pink, red, blue, green, and black — in both 41mm and 43mm sizes. There’s also a wide range of silicone straps (28 in total) that are interchangeable and water-resistant.

Fossil is emphasizing the Sport Smartwatch’s ambient mode, integrated heart rate sensor, 350mAh battery (with promised all-day battery life), as well as NFC and GPS capabilities, which are all supposed to be improved from the watch’s last generation — though there are few details right now about how they’ve changed. The watch also includes Spotify and Noonlight, an emergency services app,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fossil-sport-smartwatch-debuts-with-new-wear-3100-chip-and-wear-os36419SimeonFossil Sport Smartwatch debuts with new Wear 3100 chip and Wear OSBrydge announces its own take on the iPad Pro’s keyboard cover

Brydge, a manufacturer of keyboards that attempt to give tablets the form-factor of a laptop, has announced keyboards for the new iPad Pro. Based on the company’s previous keyboards, these new models should allow the tablet’s screen to be pitched at any angle — while Apple’s Smart Keyboard is limited to just two.

When we previously tried out one of Brydge’s keyboards on a third-generation iPad, we felt like the company succeeded in making the tablet feel more like a laptop. Now, as Apple itself positions the iPad Pro as a productivity device to rival laptops, keyboard covers like those from Brydge seem all the more useful. As well as making keyboards for iPads, Brydge also produces models for Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablets and Google’s...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/brydge-announces-its-own-take-on-the-ipad-pros-keyboard-cover36410SimeonBrydge announces its own take on the iPad Pro’s keyboard coverHow Democrats’ victory in the midterms will be good for Facebook

The Democrats have retaken the House of Representatives. If you’re a social media company concerned both about your public image and the threat of regulation, is this a good thing or a bad thing?

On the good side, the regulatory environment looks ... favorable? A divided Congress means that few major bills are likely to make it to the president’s desk, leaving the status quo more or less as is. Better still, we will likely be spared any more Congressional hearings on the case of Diamond and Silk, or on any other voices claiming to have been “censored” because their organic reach is slipping.

That said, a national data privacy law — one that would almost be certainly weaker than California’s, which it would supercede — seems at least...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/how-democrats-victory-in-the-midterms-will-be-good-for-facebook36411SimeonHow Democrats’ victory in the midterms will be good for FacebookChina’s state-run press agency has created an ‘AI anchor’ to read the news

Xinhua, China’s state-run press agency, has unveiled new “AI anchors” — digital composites created from footage of human hosts that read the news using synthesized voices.

It’s not clear exactly what technology has been used to create the anchors, but they’re in line with the most recent machine learning research. It seems that Xinhua has used footage of human anchors as a base layer, and then animated parts of the mouth and face to turn the speaker into a virtual puppet. By combining this with a synthesized voice, Xinhua can program the digital anchors to read the news, far quicker than using traditional CGI. (We’ve reached out to AI experts in the field to see what their analysis is.)

]]>https://techfishnews.com/chinas-state-run-press-agency-has-created-an-ai-anchor-to-read-the-news36405SimeonChina’s state-run press agency has created an ‘AI anchor’ to read the newsTesla has found a new chairperson to replace Elon Musk

Tesla has appointed Robyn Denholm as the new chair of Tesla’s board of directors. The role was vacated after Elon Musk was forced to step down from the position over a dispute arising from his now infamous 420 tweet, in which he claimed to have secured funding to take Tesla private. The SEC sued Musk, calling his claim “false and misleading.” The executive later agreed to step down from the role and pay a fine of $20 million.

Commenting on the announcement Musk, who will remain CEO of the company, said:

Robyn has extensive experience in both the tech and auto industries, and she has made significant contributions as a Tesla Board member over the past four years in helping us become a profitable company … I look forward to working even...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tesla-has-found-a-new-chairperson-to-replace-elon-musk36402SimeonTesla has found a new chairperson to replace Elon MuskFormer EA exec Patrick Söderlund’s new studio just opened, but it has big plans

Just a few months after leaving his job at EA as chief design officer, Patrick Söderlund is ready to announce his next venture. Called Embark Studios, the company was revealed this evening at the earnings call for MapleStory publisher Nexon in Tokyo. Embark is a collaboration of sorts, with Nexon serving as both a publisher and investor in the fledgling studio. Söderlund’s team isn’t ready yet to show off a game, but the former EA executive has big plans for the future. “We have a mass-market, large-scale ambition with what we’re going to do,” he says.

To create that, Söderlund says that the studio will make use of emerging technologies to build new kinds of online interactive experiences. The press release announcing Embark is filled...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/former-ea-exec-patrick-soderlunds-new-studio-just-opened-but-it-has-big-plans36398SimeonFormer EA exec Patrick Söderlund’s new studio just opened, but it has big plansSquare Enix cancels Final Fantasy XV episodes as director quits company

Today, Square Enix hosted a livestream that was billed as a “Special Program” with exciting news about upcoming Final Fantasy XV content. But in an incredible plot twist worthy of the series itself, the news turned out to be inconceivably terrible: almost all of the DLC has been canceled, and game director Hajime Tabata has left the company altogether.

Square Enix had planned to continue the never-ending flow of Final Fantasy XV content all through 2019 with four DLC episodes centered on the characters Ardyn, Aranea, Lunafreya, and Noctis. Instead, only the Ardyn episode will be released — the other three have been abandoned. There’ll be a collaboration event with Final Fantasy XIV next month, and the Comrades multiplayer mode will also...

Facebook’s home video chat devices, the Portal and Portal Plus, are going on sale today, a month after they were initially announced.

The products are almost exclusively focused on video chatting. While they also display photos, play music, and support a small number of video networks, their feature set is very limited at launch — you can’t even browse Facebook on them.

You’re primarily meant to use them to chat with people over Facebook Messenger, and Facebook has built in some smart camera tricks to make that easier. Both devices have a single, fixed camera at the top, but the camera will zoom in and follow you around, so that you don’t have to hold a phone up to your face while you’re chatting. That way, you can move throughout a room...

Amazon has brought its Alexa voice assistant and a range of compatible Echo devices to Mexico. The Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Spot, and Amazon Smart Plug are all available to pre-order today, and shipping will start next week. The company is also bringing Amazon Music Unlimited and Prime Music to Mexico today, right in time for people to ask their new Echo devices to play music.

Amazon launched Alexa in Spain last month, but the company says the voice assistant has now been updated to work with Mexican Spanish and makes use of local information. Amazon is the last major company to arrive in this market —Apple started selling the HomePod in Spain and Mexico last month, while the Google Home and Home Mini were released in the two...

Following the October 29th Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia which killed all aboard, Boeing has issued a safety warning for erroneous readings on the sensors of its 737 Max aircraft. The Operations Manual Bulletin directs all airlines operating the Boeing 737 Max to follow “existing flight crew procedures to address circumstances where there is erroneous input from an AOA sensor.”

AOA, or Angle of Attack, refers to the angle at which the oncoming flow of wind hits the airplane or its wings. Though the exact cause of the crash is unclear at the moment, investigators suspect that a software glitch or misinterpretation by pilots may have contributed to the accident, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Samsung took the wraps off its new Infinity Flex Display device this morning, the first foldable hybrid gadget from the company that transforms from a phone into a tablet. Samsung says it plans to go into mass production for just the display in the “matter of months,” but we don’t really know much of anything about it beyond the brief glimpse we got onstage today. It’s a total mystery what it will cost, and we know very little about how the software will really function and just how many different display orientations it supports.

At a session this afternoon at its developer conference, Samsung did reveal some new information about the planned device, including pixel density, screen size, and aspect ratio in both the folded and unfolded...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsung-reveals-key-specs-for-its-upcoming-foldable-smartphone36388SimeonSamsung reveals key specs for its upcoming foldable smartphoneThe Free Music Archive is closing this month

The Free Music Archive was founded in 2009, the year Barack Obama was inaugurated as this country’s first black president. As a project directed by the legendary Jersey City radio station WFMU, it was to be a “library of high-quality, legal audio downloads,” a place where artists could share their music and listeners could enjoy it for free. Now, following a funding shortage, the FMA plans to close sometime this month.

“The future is uncertain, has been my mantra lately,” says Cheyenne Hohman, who’s been the director of the Free Music Archive since 2014. The shutdown date was initially the 9th, but has since been pushed back to November 16th because the FMA is in early talks with four different organizations that are interested in...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-free-music-archive-is-closing-this-month36389SimeonThe Free Music Archive is closing this monthT-Mobile’s $300 trade-in deal for the OnePlus 6T ends November 8th

Here’s just a short PSA for people interested in buying the OnePlus 6T on T-Mobile: the carrier’s $300 trade-in promotion is ending tomorrow. There will no doubt be other trade offers down the line, but the one announced back at the phone’s keynote was particularly generous; T-Mobile will give you $300 for any previous OnePlus handset to put towards the 6T. There’s also a long list of other phones that are eligible for the $300 discount.

The $300 is applied over 24 months when you buy the OnePlus 6 with a monthly payment plan; you can’t get the $300 and then just pay the rest immediately to buy the 6T outright. The credits will begin two billing cycles after you take home the 6T.

Now that Apple’s full fall hardware lineup is officially available, the company has announced a slew of updates for its video creation and productivity apps.

First, a new iMovie update will let users connect an external display to an iPad or iPhone, which allows screen mirroring or creating a full-screen preview of what you’re editing. (Full-screen previews require an iPhone 7 or newer, sixth-generation iPad or newer, or a 2017 iPad Pro or newer.) In addition, there’s also support for uncompressed 4K video output on the third-generation 11-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro. For iMovie on desktop, there’s now a new export option called “Prepare for Facebook.” This will export a Facebook-compatible video file that you can then manually...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-updates-imovie-garageband-iwork-and-clips-as-new-devices-launch36379SimeonApple updates iMovie, GarageBand, iWork, and Clips as new devices launchApple may have a less wasteful method of replacing the new MacBook Air’s battery

Apple has developed a way to replace the new MacBook Air’s battery without swapping out the entire top of the keyboard, MacRumors reports based on Apple’s internal service guide for the device. That’s slightly more environmentally friendly than the situation on other modern MacBooks, which have so much glue inside the frame that the entire thing would have to be replaced in the event that the old battery needed to be changed.

Apple will now give Genius workers and authorized service providers the tools needed to remove the glue from the battery, without affecting anything else. After removal, the workers will add glue strips to attach a new battery. According to the same service guide MacRumors saw, technicians will also be able to...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-may-have-a-less-wasteful-method-of-replacing-the-new-macbook-airs-battery36380SimeonApple may have a less wasteful method of replacing the new MacBook Air’s batteryFord buys e-scooter company Spin for $40 million

Ford is buying dockless electric scooter company Spin for $40 million, according to Axios. The acquisition cost roughly what Spin was valued at after its Series A funding last year.

The deal isn’t the first time Ford’s entered the e-scooter market; the company started conducting a test run of scooter rentals at Purdue University under the name “Jelly” last month. Ford has also been exploring new mobility solutions since it acquired San Francisco-based shuttle service Chariot in 2016, and it’s been running a docked bicycle-sharing program in the Bay Area called Ford GoBikes since 2013. Ironically, Motivate, the bike-sharing company Ford partnered with to launch GoBikes, has since been acquired by Lyft, which is also getting into the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/ford-buys-e-scooter-company-spin-for-40-million36381SimeonFord buys e-scooter company Spin for $40 millionSamsung will put notches on its future phones

Samsung has stood as the major holdout in a year when seemingly every other smartphone maker moved to releasing displays with a notch cutout. But at the company’s developer conference today, Samsung confirmed that it’s soon going to join in on the trend. A slide during the keynote showed several notch designs that are almost certainly coming to Samsung-branded devices in 2019 and beyond.

Hassan Anjum, a director of product marketing at Samsung, took the stage to highlight Samsung’s previous breakthroughs in reducing bezels and maximizing display size year after year. “We’re going to keep going. The bezels are going to shrink even further,” Anjum said. “We’re going to push the limits with our new lineup: the Infinity U, V, and O...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsung-will-put-notches-on-its-future-phones36382SimeonSamsung will put notches on its future phonesSamsung’s new One UI software will make giant phones much easier to use

Today at its developer conference, Samsung showcased what it calls One UI and kicked off a new approach to the user experience on Samsung smartphones. One UI contains some new visual flair including more rounded corners, splashes of color across apps, and redesigned icons. But its main purpose is to relieve the repetitive stress our hands endure in today’s world of giant phones.

One UI places key interaction areas near the bottom of the screen where they’re within reach of your thumb. No more making that dreadful reach for the top left of your Galaxy Note. Samsung says it’s the “most user-focused smartphone UX” it has produced to date.

Several of Samsung’s bundled apps will now have a “viewing area” — big,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsungs-new-one-ui-software-will-make-giant-phones-much-easier-to-use36372SimeonSamsung’s new One UI software will make giant phones much easier to useDefy Media, home of YouTube superstars Smosh, is shutting down

Smosh, Smosh Games, and Clevver are some of YouTube’s most popular channels, but their teams are looking for a new studio in the wake of news that their parent company, Defy Media, is closing its doors.

“Regretfully, Defy Media has ceased operations today,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday evening. “We are extremely proud of what we accomplished here at Defy and in particular want to thank all the employees who worked here. We deeply regret the impact that this has had on them today… Unfortunately, market conditions got in the way of us completing our mission.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/defy-media-home-of-youtube-superstars-smosh-is-shutting-down36373SimeonDefy Media, home of YouTube superstars Smosh, is shutting down This is Samsung’s foldable smartphone

Samsung has been teasing its foldable smartphone for weeks, and now the company has unveiled it for the first time today. Samsung calls its foldable phone technology the Infinity Flex Display, and the phone itself has a tablet-sized screen that can be folded up to fit into a pocket.

Samsung demonstrated a “disguised” device during its developer conference today, and dimmed the lights to protect elements of the design. “There’s a device inside here,” said Justin Denison, SVP of mobile product marketing. “And it is stunning.”

Denison then showed a device that folded out into a tablet and back up into a candybar-like form factor. The device includes a cover display that acts as a phone, and a main 7.3-inch tablet display.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/this-is-samsungs-foldable-smartphone36351SimeonThis is Samsung’s foldable smartphoneYou can soon continue using an Android app while it’s being updated

At today’s Android Dev Summit, Google announced a new set of features as part of the Android App Bundle tool, including an In-app Updates API that will allow developers to more aggressively nudge users to download the latest version of an app.

To essentially force users into updating, devs now have two new options to hasten app updates. For pressing issues — such as security bug fixes — developers can display a full-screen message the next time a user starts up an app to notify them that an update is available. Users will also have the option to opt out of the update, in case they’re not connected to Wi-Fi, are low on battery, or whatever other reason.

For less urgent updates, the In-App Updates API will also allow users to continue...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/you-can-soon-continue-using-an-android-app-while-its-being-updated36352SimeonYou can soon continue using an Android app while it’s being updatedSamsung opens Bixby to third-party apps and devices

Samsung is going to start letting app developers plug into Bixby, and hardware companies will be able to build the voice assistant into their products, too.

In the year-and-a-half since Bixby launched, Samsung has already brought the assistant to phones, fridges, TVs, and more, but they’ve all been Samsung’s own devices. With today’s news, other companies will be able to start building it into their own hardware as well, either as an alternative to Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Assistant — or, more likely, as an additional option for users who want to live in Samsung’s ecosystem.

Bixby follows the Alexa strategy

Consumers may have more reason to embrace Bixby in the future, too, since third party developers will start being able to build...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsung-opens-bixby-to-third-party-apps-and-devices36341SimeonSamsung opens Bixby to third-party apps and devices Industrial Light & Magic opens TV division just in time for Disney’s new Star Wars show

Industrial Light & Magic, the company that invented modern cinematic visual effects with its work on the original Star Wars trilogy, is embracing television with a new division it is naming ILM TV. According to a press release, the new group’s focus will be on episodic and streaming television series, and it already has two projects lined up: the second season of Syfy’s Krypton, and Jon Favreau’s upcoming live-action Star Wars series The Mandalorian.

“We are seeing a real convergence in our creative approach used on films and in our immersive entertainment division ILMxLAB,” ILM head Rob Bredow said in a press release, “and now we’re proud to be able to offer these ILM innovations in a way that’s suitable for streaming and television...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/industrial-light-magic-opens-tv-division-just-in-time-for-disneys-new-star-wars-show36342SimeonIndustrial Light & Magic opens TV division just in time for Disney’s new Star Wars showWhat a new governor means for Wisconsin’s controversial Foxconn factory

As candidates across the country scrapped for control of Congress, last night’s midterms were particularly dramatic in Wisconsin. After eight years and a failed recall effort, Governor Scott Walker lost to Democratic candidate Tony Evers, in a closely fought race that remained a dead heat until 1:30AM local time. Evers, the superintendent of the state school system, ultimately pulled ahead by roughly 30,000 votes.

The surprise win could have a significant impact on Wisconsin’s new Foxconn plant, which had been championed by Walker. The deal, which provided $4 billion in subsidies for just 13,000 jobs, had been criticized as corporate welfare by a number of local figures. That criticism has only intensified amid reports that Foxconn would...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/what-a-new-governor-means-for-wisconsins-controversial-foxconn-factory36343SimeonWhat a new governor means for Wisconsin’s controversial Foxconn factoryGoogle says Android will natively support ‘foldables’ to limit fragmentation

Google is officially announcing support for a category of Android devices it’s decided to call “Foldables.” Speaking today at the Android Developer Summit, VP of engineering Dave Burke said that Google is “enhancing Android to take advantage of this new form factor with as little work as necessary.” But as of right now, those enhancements are mostly just guidance for developers to start using already-existing features that are built into Android.

If you haven’t heard, devices with folding displays are about to become a thing. Today is the day when Samsung will stop teasing and start showing its phone with a folding display at its developer conference, which is happening at the same time as Google’s summit. Google tells me that it’s...

The next generation of Wi-Fi is starting to arrive, and Netgear is jumping in with its first two routers: the Nighthawk AX8 and Nighthawk AX12.

These are two very high-end routers, capable of theoretical speeds well beyond what most home internet connections can deliver. But their real standout feature is support for the next major Wi-Fi standard, 802.11ax — or what’s being newly branded as “Wi-Fi 6.”

Wi-Fi 6 doesn’t bring with it many incredible speed leaps or fancy consumer-facing features. But its speeds should be somewhat faster, and more importantly, it’s supposed to be better at dealing with a multitude of devices on a network at once, something that’s increasingly important as our homes fill with smart gadgets.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/netgears-first-wi-fi-6-routers-look-like-sci-fi-spaceships36345SimeonNetgear’s first Wi-Fi 6 routers look like sci-fi spaceshipsThis Taiwanese grandpa shows the best way to play Pokémon Go is with 11 phones

A 70-year-old man in Taiwan has gone viral for playing Pokémon Go with 11 phones attached to his bicycle. Chen San-yuan has made headlines internationally for the strange setup. Chen also keeps external batteries and charging cables on him so he can enjoy up to 20 hours of battery life per phone.

Since first getting caught on social media and going viral in August, Chen has upgraded to a waist mount, so he can travel with his 11 phones on foot. His neighbor also commented on how Chen’s unique approach to catching pokémon has turned their street into a tourist attraction.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/this-taiwanese-grandpa-shows-the-best-way-to-play-pokemon-go-is-with-11-phones36330SimeonThis Taiwanese grandpa shows the best way to play Pokémon Go is with 11 phonesSony’s new PS4 Pro quietly fixes its noise problems

The PS4 Pro can be loud, especially when running intense games. But these noise issues appear to have finally been fixed with Sony’s latest revision of the console, according to an analysis by Digital Foundry.

From the outside, the new CUH-7200 looks almost identical to the previous models of the PS4 Pro — of which, for those keeping track, there have been two. However, the back the bulky three-prong PC-style power connector has been quietly swapped for the same slim, standard figure-eight cable that Sony and Microsoft both currently use for their PS4 Slim and Xbox One S consoles. Although this change doesn’t appear to have made any significant difference to power draw or heat output — suggesting Sony hasn’t yet shrunk the processor —...

California voters approved a measure allowing the state to make daylight saving time (DST) year-round, instead of only from early March to early November. In order for this to actually be put in place, California legislature has to now approve it by a two-thirds vote, and then Congress would have to allow the deviation. The majority of Arizona is on permanent standard time, and year-round DST is followed by Hawaii and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Minor Outlying Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Proponents for the measure argued that shifting to year-round DST would allow for more sunlight during the winter and encourage people to stay out later, potentially infusing revenue to...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/california-moves-toward-permanent-daylight-saving-time36332SimeonCalifornia moves toward permanent daylight saving timeHalf of YouTube viewers use it to learn how to do things they’ve never done

The first time I put on a tie, I loaded up a YouTube video. Any time I want to do something new in a program like Ableton, Premiere, or Photoshop, I run a search on YouTube. I’ve learned how to cook a few things from YouTube videos, too. These are just the sorts of educational searches I’m willing to admit; there way too many embarrassing ones that will go with me to my grave. But I’m not alone in using YouTube as a digital school of sorts.

A new Pew research study that surveyed 4,594 Americans in 2018 found that 51 percent of YouTube users say they rely on the video service to figure out how to do new things, and the service proved important both for regular users and irregular users. “That works out to 35 percent of all U.S. adults,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/half-of-youtube-viewers-use-it-to-learn-how-to-do-things-theyve-never-done36333SimeonHalf of YouTube viewers use it to learn how to do things they’ve never done Instacart launches grocery pickup service in cities across the US

Instacart just announced that its new grocery pickup service will launch in cities across the United States. The new pickup option works alongside Instacart’s delivery service, which supports many of the same supermarkets.

Any viable grocery delivery / pickup service needs a wide variety of retailers to source from. Instacart has different buying options that include both pickup and delivery to keep customers interested and to stay competitive against the likes of Amazon’s grocery stores, Prime Fresh, or even DoorDash.

Instacart’s grocery pickup service is working with more than 200 retailers, including a number of recognizable outlets like Wegmans, Aldi, Cub Foods, Food Lion, Price Chopper, Publix, Schnucks, Smart & Final, Sprouts, and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/instacart-launches-grocery-pickup-service-in-cities-across-the-us36334SimeonInstacart launches grocery pickup service in cities across the USMicrosoft Word is getting a to-do feature to help people manage documents

Microsoft is starting to test a new to-do feature in Word today. The software maker found that a lot of people leave notes in their Word documents as placeholders to add more text, images, or charts. Microsoft is now making these notes a lot more powerful with a to-do feature that automatically tracks when you’ve left these little notes for yourself or others.

Word has had comments for years, but this new to-do feature will automatically find where you may have written “todo:” or “<<insert something here>>” in a document, and it will collate these instances as suggestions. Word will then provide a list of these items, and you can use them individually or even @-mention colleagues to notify them to add content into a shared Word document....

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-word-is-getting-a-to-do-feature-to-help-people-manage-documents36335Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/F06TlbSgQszfMY28Zi10MSIe54A=/0x0:1329x886/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62219831/ezgif.com_gif_maker.0.gifMicrosoft Word is getting a to-do feature to help people manage documentsVince Gilligan is reportedly writing a Breaking Bad spinoff film

Breaking Bad may be returning to the spotlight again, this time with a new spinoff film from series creator Vince Gilligan. According to The Albuquerque Journal, Gilligan’s new project, currently dubbed Greenbriar, “tracks the escape of a kidnapped man and his quest for freedom.”

Breaking Bad was a record-breaking critical darling by the time its finale aired in 2013. The five-season series has a definitive ending for central antihero Walter White, played by breakout star Bryan Cranston, but that hasn’t prevented additional storytelling within its universe. The prequel series Better Call Saul, starring Bob Odenkirk as a shifty lawyer who had a supporting role on Breaking Bad, has already enjoyed four critically lauded seasons of its own.

Facebook says that the 30 Facebook accounts and 85 Instagram accounts it blocked yesterday for “inauthentic behavior” appear to originate from Russia. A site that claims to be associated with the Russia-based Internet Research Agency (IRA) later posted a list of fake Instagram accounts it made before the US midterm elections, which included many that were removed by Facebook yesterday and others that the company has now blocked.

A man who helped orchestrate attacks on several gaming platforms, then abruptly disappeared in 2014, pleaded guilty in a California court yesterday. Utah resident Austin Thompson admitted to being a member of the hacking group DerpTrolling, which carried out a series of high-profile denial-of-service attacks in late 2013 as part of a campaign against Twitch streamer James “Phantoml0rd” Varga. Thompson was charged with causing “damage to a protected computer,” which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; he will be sentenced in March 2019.

DerpTrolling rose to prominence in December 2013 when it attacked a series of game networks, briefly overloading the servers for League of Legends, Dota 2, and Blizzard’s Battle.net platform....

]]>https://techfishnews.com/how-to-buy-apples-macbook-air-2018-with-retina-display36315SimeonHow to buy Apple’s MacBook Air (2018) with Retina DisplayWhat the new Congress means for space, self-driving cars, and regulating Facebook

Last night, Democrats claimed the majority in the House of Representatives, and Republicans were able to keep a stronghold over the Senate, making some minor gains. The new Congress is still taking shape, with leadership elections to be held next week and a few more months before the next congressional term truly begins.

All bills introduced this past Congress will be killed once January rolls around, so the new Congress will be starting from a blank slate. With power divided in Congress, lawmakers will be forced to compromise in order to pass anything. Legislation that would regulate automated cars, set rules regarding data privacy, or even fund President Donald Trump’s Space Force would require members to reach across the aisle,...

Last week, Flickr announced some major changes to the way its free service will work under new owner SmugMug. It set a 1,000-picture limit for free accounts, replacing the previously offered 1TB of storage. Any accounts that are still over that limit on February 5th, 2019, will have their content deleted until they’re back below that number.

This led to a looming question: what happens to Flickr’s huge library of Creative Commons photos that are used by countless individuals and organizations around the world?

Flickr has clarified that freely licensed Creative Commons photos will be safe under the new limits

In a blog post today, Flickr has clarified that those freely licensed photos will be safe, even under the new limits. Accounts with...

The competitive community breathed a sigh of relief when Nintendo revealed that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate would support classic GameCube controllers, the preferred gamepad for the fighting series. But it also meant that fans would need to snag an adapter to get the old wired controllers working with the Nintendo Switch. Perhaps the best solution so far is GBros., a new wireless option from 8bitdo, a company that has made a name for itself with excellent retro controllers and very useful adapters.

The $19.99 device is simple. You plug your GameCube controller into the adapter, and it connects wirelessly to your Switch. It gives you the best of both worlds, with an ideal Smash controller that isn’t restricted by wires. 8bitdo says the...

What do a nuclear engineer and a registered nurse have in common? They just got elected to Congress. At least seven people with science backgrounds won their races for seats in the United States House of Representatives in yesterday’s general election.

This year, record numbers of scientists, medical professionals, and engineers decided to run for office. In the elections for the House of Representatives, 48 of these candidates made it to the primaries, and 18 of them made it to the general election, Science magazine reports.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/new-congressional-members-with-science-backgrounds-may-help-shape-national-policy36300SimeonNew Congressional members with science backgrounds may help shape national policyThree states vote in favor of marijuana

Three states voted in favor of marijuana legalization in yesterday’s midterm elections. Voters in Utah and Missouri approved the drug for medical use, while Michigan voters passed an amendment that legalized cannabis for recreational purposes. Though North Dakota voters rejected a push for recreational marijuana, the results are further evidence of growing support for easing marijuana restrictions.

Though marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, 33 states have now legalized medical marijuana, and 10 states and Washington, DC have legalized recreational marijuana.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/three-states-vote-in-favor-of-marijuana36301SimeonThree states vote in favor of marijuanaVizio is making a red TV to raise money for AIDS awareness

Vizio is producing a special edition red model of its 55-inch P-Series 4K TV in partnership with Product Red, an organization that campaigns to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa. A minimum of 10 percent of the price of every TV will be donated to the organization’s campaign against the disease.

We’ve seen plenty of Product Red devices over the years, but this is the first time we’ve seen a model of television take on the distinctive red finish. Apple has been one of the biggest supporters of the initiative, releasing a red iPhone 8 earlier this year and a red iPhone 7 the year before. TVs tend to be much more conservative with their color schemes than phones, making Vizio’s red P-Series a bold statement for anyone who chooses to buy it.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/vizio-is-making-a-red-tv-to-raise-money-for-aids-awareness36302SimeonVizio is making a red TV to raise money for AIDS awarenessToys R Us is dead, so Amazon will mail you toy catalogs instead

You’re bound to get tons of shopping catalogs this holiday season, and soon, one of them may come from Amazon. Following the demise of Toys R Us’ presence in the US and UK back in March, the e-commerce giant confirmed it will mail out millions of toy catalogs called “A Holiday of Play.”

Like the old catalogs Toys R Us used to mail out, Amazon’s holiday catalogs retain the simplistic aesthetic, but they also have QR codes attached so customers can easily scan and bring up links to products. Amazon will also distribute the catalogs at its 4-star locations and bookstores.

Even as the tech giant edges out traditional retailers like Walmart and Barnes & Noble, it’s still taking pages from their playbooks. Following its acquisition of Whole...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/toys-r-us-is-dead-so-amazon-will-mail-you-toy-catalogs-instead36303Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zGZ8A8P7WLVjeE3OGgGQuqPftsM=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62219963/acastro_180329_1777_amazon_0002.0.jpgToys R Us is dead, so Amazon will mail you toy catalogs insteadSurface Pro 6 deals lead Costco’s month of Black Friday sales

If you’re a Costco member, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re already paying attention to the retailer’s Black Friday sales. But if you’re not, some of the deals below might just warrant a membership purchase.

Not all of Costco’s deals begin at the same time. Instead, it’s splitting up each offering in 10-day chunks: the first batch of deals starts on November 6th and ends on the 15th. The next two rounds overlap a bit, giving buyers a lot of discounted tech to check out.

Amazon and Target have announced their respective Black Friday deals early as well, but if you’re focused on Costco, we’ll be adding and removing deals to reflect what’s currently available. A few of these deals are only available at a Costco location or online —...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/surface-pro-6-deals-lead-costcos-month-of-black-friday-sales36304Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/45APb7ZJ52sMLAtKWt6xgiAzUsg=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62219951/akrales_181012_3019_0021.0.jpgSurface Pro 6 deals lead Costco’s month of Black Friday salesApple’s new iPad Pro is now available

The new iPad Pro ditches the Home button in favor Face ID, gains a lot of power, and its bezels are much slimmer than previous generations. It’s available now in 11-inch or 12.9-inch configurations, starting at $799 and $999, respectively.

You can pick up the new iPad Pro from Apple, though a growing number of other retailers are offering the tablet as well. There are no deals to speak of, unless you count Verizon’s that requires you to sign up for a two-year contract, though we could see some promotions once Black Friday or Cyber Monday arrive.

Best Buy is selling the new iPad Pro, and has also begun a trade-in promotion that might make your purchase just a bit more affordable. The retailer is only accepting working iPad Pros of a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apples-new-ipad-pro-is-now-available36305Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ydiZBBlSgu_jOqOI4V4sb29-hFk=/107x0:1220x742/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61961381/Screen_Shot_2018_10_30_at_10.45.17_AM.0.pngApple’s new iPad Pro is now availableZuckerberg rejects invite from international committee to give evidence on fake news

Mark Zuckerberg has turned down another yet another request to answer questions from politicians outside of the United States.

On October 31st, the Facebook founder was invited to give evidence before a UK parliamentary committee, with politicians from Canada co-signing the invitation. This unusual show of international cooperation has since been supported by lawmakers from Australia, Argentina, and Ireland, with these five countries forming an “international grand committee” representing some 170 million Facebook users.

Zuckerberg rejected the request on November 2nd, according to UK MP Damian Collins, who made the original invitation in his role as head of the country’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee. In a letter...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/zuckerberg-rejects-invite-from-international-committee-to-give-evidence-on-fake-news36288SimeonZuckerberg rejects invite from international committee to give evidence on fake newsThe way we text says a lot about our personality

I’ll admit it: I often tweet in all lowercase because I want to seem chill and nonchalant. I know this is dumb. I know it. But I can’t resist. I’m a relaxed person! This week, Vox’s Kaitlyn Tiffany and I ask why we type the way we do. Are we really that cool?

First, I chat with my friend Laura who also types in all lowercase all the time. She’s truly dedicated to the effort. Then, Kaitlyn interviews The Verge’s copy editor Kara Verlaney about her thoughts on proper punctuation across the internet and all its forms. Finally, we interview linguist Lauren Collister about whether we’re just psychoanalyzing all of our typing habits for no reason, or if there’s real research around this topic. (Spoiler alert: there is!)

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-way-we-text-says-a-lot-about-our-personality36289SimeonThe way we text says a lot about our personalityWhy robocalls have taken over your phone

By 2009, Chris Hughson was fed up. The Portland area realtor was getting bombarded with spam texts and calls, as many as 10 a day, despite having his number on the Do Not Call Registry. He assumed his phone number had made it to some list, but he wasn’t sure what else he could do. “There’s got to be a way to strike back,” he thought.

Since then, Hughson, who studied law but never practiced, has filed dozens of lawsuits under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), a law that lets consumers take callers to court if they’re called while on the Do Not Call Registry. Hughson settles cases for amounts he’s often required not to disclose, but, in theory, the TCPA allows consumers to sue for as much as $1,500 per violation. At 10 calls or...

Spotify says it’s now letting free-tier subscribers stream music over Spotify Connect-enabled speakers. In order to benefit from the change, hardware manufacturers will need to update to Spotify’s latest SDK, letting you enjoy the ad-supported service over a high-quality Wi-Fi connection instead of Bluetooth.

Spotify’s free tier still has its limitations compared to Spotify Premium, but back in April a redesigned app gave non-paying subscribers a lot more freedom in what they can listen to. Instead of being forced to shuffle tracks across the entire catalog, Spotify gave non-paying users 15 auto-generated playlists which they could freely choose to play songs from, although they still have to listen to ads after every few tracks.

Facebook Messenger will soon allow you to delete sent messages up to 10 minutes after you’ve originally sent them. The feature is listed as “coming soon” in the release notes for version 191.0 of Messenger’s iOS client. Compared to the hour Facebook gives you to delete an erroneous WhatsApp message, 10 minutes doesn’t give you too much time to correct yourself. But it’s a lot better than having your mistakes preserved eternally.

Messenger’s “unsend” functionality has been on the cards since April, after Facebook admitted that it had been quietly deleting messages sent by its CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The functionality was first spotted in October during testing.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebooks-unsend-feature-will-give-you-10-minutes-to-delete-a-message36265SimeonFacebook’s unsend feature will give you 10 minutes to delete a messageFour ways the internet changed the midterm elections

This morning’s edition of The Interface was sent out to subscribers on Tuesday afternoon. As such, certain items included here will have been overtaken by events. We’ll have a more complete look at the midterm elections in the Wednesday edition of The Interface, which you can sign up to receive for free here.

A little over a year ago, I found myself growingly concerned with the unintended consequences of our biggest social platforms, particularly with respect to how they could be contributing to a global decline in democracy. I started writing about the subject every day in hopes that some good old-fashioned blogging could help bring shape to that discussion as we learned more. More than anything, I wondered what we would see in the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/four-ways-the-internet-changed-the-midterm-elections36266SimeonFour ways the internet changed the midterm elections PUBG now free on Xbox with PS4 version rumored for next month

Microsoft has made Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) free to download and keep on Xbox One today. The software giant notes that the full 1.0 release of PUBG for Xbox is “free for a limited time,” and you can download the game free immediately from the Microsoft Store. Microsoft had originally promised “big news” for PUBG fans at the company’s X018 show on Saturday, and it looks like the free PUBG promotion is part of that. It’s not clear how “limited” this free promotion is, or whether existing PUBG fans will receive in-game credits for paying to test a beta version of the game over the past year. PUBG appeared in Xbox Game Preview last year, priced at $29.99.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/pubg-now-free-on-xbox-with-ps4-version-rumored-for-next-month36258SimeonPUBG now free on Xbox with PS4 version rumored for next monthXiaomi announces $30 AirPods clones called AirDots

Xiaomi is known for its simple, inexpensive accessories almost as much as it is for its phones, and the company’s latest effort is particularly eye-catching: AirPods-style wireless earbuds for under $30. They’re called AirDots and feature much of the same functionality as Apple’s product, including tappable controls and a compact charging case. Unlike AirPods, however, the AirDots have silicone tips that could allow for better sound isolation and a more secure fit. They also support Bluetooth 5.0.

At 199 yuan (about $29) for pre-order in China, it’s very unlikely that the AirDots will match up to the AirPods in audio quality or performance reliability. I recently tried out Oppo’s O-Free wireless earbuds, which sell for 699 yuan ($100)...

One of the most consequential US elections in recent history is taking place tonight, culminating with either a Republican sweep of the Senate and House of Representatives or a chance for the Democratic Party to retake Congress after nearly two years under President Donald Trump’s administration. Naturally, a great deal of how we participate in and monitor modern elections — like monitoring polls and forecasts, and checking live election results — happens now online, while much of the immediate

A variety of journalistic organizations, TV news channels, and bipartisan groups provide real-time news and analysis from the ground as polls close and results start coming in. So while you may not have cable and a TV tuned to a news channel, or...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/how-to-follow-the-us-midterm-elections-online36232SimeonHow to follow the US midterm elections onlinePlayers of Samantha Bee’s mobile game have reported over 800 instances of voter suppression

And a few months ago, Full Frontal host Samantha Bee released an app called This Is Not A Game: The Game, which married HQ Trivia-esque gameplay with political knowledge, for jackpots ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. In the lead-up to this year’s climactic midterms, however, Bee and the show have partnered with The Democracy Labs — a project...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/players-of-samantha-bees-mobile-game-have-reported-over-800-instances-of-voter-suppression36222SimeonPlayers of Samantha Bee’s mobile game have reported over 800 instances of voter suppressionAriana Grande’s ‘thank u, next’ has come full circle as an extremely online event

Ariana Grande and Pete Davidon’s failed relationship was strung together by a series of inexplicable, enjoyable, and very online moments. From the second Ariana Grande released a song called “pete davidson” to sparking conversation about “Big Dick Energy” and inspiring one of the most popular couple’s Halloween costumes, their relationship has cultivated an aspect of online culture in 2018.

That trend has continued, and come to an end, with Grande’s release of her post-breakup power anthem, “thank u, next” — a song that shares the same title as a tweet Grande sent the night before.

The song is a love letter to herself, echoing pop superstars of decades past in her strong declarations that she doesn’t need to define her worth by a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/ariana-grandes-thank-u-next-has-come-full-circle-as-an-extremely-online-event36223SimeonAriana Grande’s ‘thank u, next’ has come full circle as an extremely online eventLeague of Legends maker Riot Games is sued for gender-based discrimination

Riot Games responded in a statement to The Verge: “While we do not discuss the details of ongoing litigation, we can say that we take every allegation of this nature seriously and investigate them thoroughly. We remain committed to a deep and comprehensive evolution of our culture to ensure Riot is a place where all Rioters thrive.” The company...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/league-of-legends-maker-riot-games-is-sued-for-gender-based-discrimination36224SimeonLeague of Legends maker Riot Games is sued for gender-based discriminationAT&T will cut off service for a dozen customers over piracy violations

AT&T plans to alert over a dozen customers in the next week or two that their service will be terminated due to copyright infringement, anonymous sources told Axios. This is one of the first instances AT&T has ended a customer’s service over piracy issues.

AT&T told The Verge today in a statement:

Content owners notified us when they believed they had evidence that an internet account was sharing copyrighted material unlawfully. Based on the notices we received, we identified the customer on the account and share with them the information we received. We also reached out to the customer to educate them about copyright infringement and offer assistance to help prevent the activity from continuing. A small number of customers who continue...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/att-will-cut-off-service-for-a-dozen-customers-over-piracy-violations36213SimeonAT&T will cut off service for a dozen customers over piracy violationsQualcomm must license patents to competing chipmakers, court rules

Qualcomm was dealt a major loss in one of its many ongoing legal battles this afternoon, with a federal court ruling that the company must license its modem patents to competing chipmakers, potentially weakening its stranglehold on the market.

The ruling came out of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit against Qualcomm, which was filed near the start of 2017. The crux of the lawsuit — whether Qualcomm used anti-competitive practices to maintain a monopoly over smartphone modems — isn’t being ruled on here. But the court did hone in on a single question at issue: whether Qualcomm has to license standard essential patents to competitors.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/qualcomm-must-license-patents-to-competing-chipmakers-court-rules36214SimeonQualcomm must license patents to competing chipmakers, court rulesTanaCon ‘documentary’ offers a clumsy behind-the-scenes look at what went wrong

In June, alongside annual creator conference VidCon, YouTuber Tana Mongeau held her own event called TanaCon. Despite promises of free concerts, talks, and meet-and-greets with stars like Shane Dawson and Bella Thorne, the event spiraled into a disaster that was canceled after its first day. Dawson later released a three-part series featuring interviews with Mongeau and TanaCon organizer Michael Weist. Now, Weist has released his own version of events.

The tedious hour-and-a-half video, “TanaCon: What Really Happened,” is a no-flair affair featuring meetings between Mongeau, Weist, and other organizers involved with the event. (Embedded shares of the video have been prohibited by the YouTube channel.) While some of the footage was...

Reveal says Tesla’s clinic uses different methods to keep official injury counts down when they should be higher, citing company documents and the accounts of five former employees, including a physician assistant named Anna Watson who worked there...

Microsoft’s tiny laptop-tablet hybrid Surface Go originally came in two variants: a 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD budget model for $399 and an 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD model for $549. Then in July, Costco began selling a $549 bundle that included a Surface Go with 4GB of RAM, 128GB SSD, and the Surface Type Cover (which separately, would cost $99). Now the exclusive period on the Costco model is over, and the 4GB / 128GB variant has made its way to the Microsoft Store for $499. Unfortunately, it’s currently out of stock but a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the company is working to restock the model.

At $499 for just the laptop, though, the Microsoft deal isn’t as good of a deal as the Costco bundle, which includes the Surface Type Cover. It’s...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-midrange-surface-go-is-now-available-in-microsofts-store36189SimeonThe midrange Surface Go is now available in Microsoft’s storeYou can now preorder Google’s Pixel Slate tablet

We didn’t receive an official release date for Google’s Chrome OS Pixel Slate when it was announced in October, but regardless, preorders are now live on the Google Store and through Best Buy. The device starts at $599 on the Google Store and can be specced out at $1,599 for 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. Best Buy starts its pricing at $799 for 64GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. It also sells the fully specced version for $1,599. Best Buy lists the release date as November 22nd, and Google says the device will ship in the next two to three weeks. The Pixel Slate keyboard is already available to buy now through the Google Store for $199.

If you’ve forgotten what the Pixel Slate is all about: it features a 12.3-inch display with a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/you-can-now-preorder-googles-pixel-slate-tablet36190SimeonYou can now preorder Google’s Pixel Slate tabletNetflix is developing animated shows from the creators of Moana, Inside Out, and Finding Dory

Often, Netflix doesn’t announce its new projects until shortly before their release. It has the luxury of making surprise releases for an audience that is always hungry for new content. Today, though, the streaming company announced a four-year plan for upcoming animated series, which brings it more in line with traditional animation studios like Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks. Because the lead time on animated projects is so lengthy, most of the big studios publicize their release plans years in advance. Now, Netflix is following suit.

The plans read like a who’s who of successful animators, directors, and executive producers who have worked on everything from The Little Mermaid to Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. “The programming is...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/netflix-is-developing-animated-shows-from-the-creators-of-moana-inside-out-and-finding-dory36191SimeonNetflix is developing animated shows from the creators of Moana, Inside Out, and Finding DoryGovernment bans on pot research have created room for marijuana health hype

Research is promising, not definitive, but that hasn’t prevented companies from trying to cash in

]]>https://techfishnews.com/government-bans-on-pot-research-have-created-room-for-marijuana-health-hype36192SimeonGovernment bans on pot research have created room for marijuana health hypeMicrosoft’s Cortana chief is reportedly leaving the company by the end of the year

Soltero and the Acompli team helped Microsoft vastly improve its Outlook iOS app. He later became the overall head of Outlook before taking on the Cortana chief role in March of this year, as part of the company’s massive reorganization that brought a renewed focus on artificial intelligence and the cloud, as well as the departure of Windows chief Terry Myerson.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsofts-cortana-chief-is-reportedly-leaving-the-company-by-the-end-of-the-year36193Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wF5eDZqq2X4irZ3lCMKMnu4lraM=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62209661/acastro_180510_1777_cortana_0001.0.jpgMicrosoft’s Cortana chief is reportedly leaving the company by the end of the yearMicrosoft’s Cortana chief is leaving the company by the end of the year

Microsoft’s Javier Soltero, the company’s vice president of Cortana, will be departing by the end of the year, according to a report from ZDNet. Following the report’s publication, Soltero confirmed his departure in a tweet posted to his personal account.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsofts-cortana-chief-is-leaving-the-company-by-the-end-of-the-year36202SimeonMicrosoft’s Cortana chief is leaving the company by the end of the yearVerizon discounts prepaid unlimited plan to $65 when you set up autopay

Verizon is updating the pricing for its prepaid plans, and its unlimited plan is now cheaper than ever at $70 per month — or $65 with a $5 discount for setting up autopay.

That’s a nice discount, considering the old prepaid unlimited plan cost $75 per month. There is also a new 8GB plan for $45 and a 3GB plan for $35, which are only slight improvements over the old 7GB for $50 and 3GB for $40 options (via Android Authority), once you factor in the $5 autopay discount Verizon is applying to the new numbers, but the extra 1GB that’s added to the mid-tier plan is nice.

It’s a Verizon “unlimited” plan, so read the fine print

Since this is Verizon — of the three “unlimited” plans — it’s important to note what that prepaid unlimited plan...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/verizon-discounts-prepaid-unlimited-plan-to-65-when-you-set-up-autopay36194SimeonVerizon discounts prepaid unlimited plan to $65 when you set up autopayWhy we shouldn’t cry ‘aliens’ about that interstellar space rock just yet

The head of Harvard’s department of astronomy thinks that there’s a possibility that a strange object that visited our Solar System from interstellar space may be an alien probe sent from a distant civilization. He and a colleague outlined their idea in a paper published this week analyzing what the mysterious space object might be, setting off a media frenzy.

But let’s take a breath before we jubilantly cry “aliens.” A single idea about what this object could be doesn’t make it the only explanation, and many scientists still argue that a natural explanation is more plausible. To add a bit of context, one of the scientists making this “exotic” claim is currently working on an initiative to look for extraterrestrial life in deep space, by...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/why-we-shouldnt-cry-aliens-about-that-interstellar-space-rock-just-yet36195SimeonWhy we shouldn’t cry ‘aliens’ about that interstellar space rock just yetSave on items from The Verge’s Holiday Gift Guide with these exclusive discounts

The Verge’s Holiday Gift Guide for 2018 has launched, and within it you’ll find a huge variety of gifts at every price point. There’s a good mix of practical and essential gift ideas that we’ve put together, and we hope that it’s helpful as you begin shopping for those in your life, or putting together a personal wishlist.

To make shopping a bit easier on the wallet, a few companies featured in our guide are excited to offer some exclusive discounts for readers of The Verge. Whether you’re after a fashionable and functional suitcase, a surprisingly good (and affordable) set of headphones, smart home products from Wemo, or something else, these discounts will get you the best gifts for even less.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/save-on-items-from-the-verges-holiday-gift-guide-with-these-exclusive-discounts36183SimeonSave on items from The Verge’s Holiday Gift Guide with these exclusive discountsDéraciné is a short, somber VR story from the creators of Dark Souls

The first virtual reality experience created by From Software, the studio behind notoriously punishing action role-playing games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, Déraciné isn’t what you’d expect. It’s not violent or particularly challenging. In fact, it has more in common with narrative-focused indie games like Gone Home and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture than the rest of From’s catalog. So it’s important to go into Déraciné with the right expectations. No, it’s not Dark Souls in VR. Instead, it’s a beautiful, bite-sized story that explores the fantastical through an experience that feels surprisingly at home in VR.

Déraciné takes place almost entirely within the confines of a small boarding school. You play as a faerie, a magical — and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/deracine-is-a-short-somber-vr-story-from-the-creators-of-dark-souls36184SimeonDéraciné is a short, somber VR story from the creators of Dark SoulsDropbox’s new software extensions let you easily edit files on the web

Dropbox has a new feature it hopes will make getting work done from within its cloud storage product even easier. Called Extensions, these third-party software plug-ins will let you perform basic tasks you’d normally need to launch a separate app or in-browser window for all within Dropbox on the web.

Dropbox’s first suite of Extensions — with partners like Adobe, DocuSign, and Vimeo — will let you get the required digital signatures on a PDF and perform some light photo editing and annotating of videos, all without leaving Dropbox and in a workflow that immediately saves new files to the cloud. Extensions launches for all users, including standard non-business users of Dropbox, on November 27th.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/dropboxs-new-software-extensions-let-you-easily-edit-files-on-the-web36172SimeonDropbox’s new software extensions let you easily edit files on the webAnker CEO Steven Yang is all in on USB-C

In 2011, Steven Yang’s laptop battery gave out. Searching online, he couldn’t find a new battery from a third-party supplier with good enough ratings. Instead, he was faced with paying an arm and a leg to buy a battery from the manufacturer. With this problem in mind, Yang created Anker and began developing and selling batteries and chargers through Amazon. Just one year later, the company was profitable and highly regarded by customers. Now, Anker has set its sights on solving bigger problems in the tech and gadget world.

On this week’s interview episode of The Vergecast, Nilay sat down with Yang backstage before Anker’s event in New York City. The two talked about the humble beginnings of Anker, the new products it’s bringing to...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/anker-ceo-steven-yang-is-all-in-on-usb-c36173SimeonAnker CEO Steven Yang is all in on USB-CMicrosoft has built a version of its headquarters in Minecraft

Microsoft is overhauling its 500-acre campus in Redmond, Washington for 2022. The new campus will include 18 additional buildings (Microsoft already has more than 100), alongside cricket and soccer fields and retail shops. While work is set to start on the buildings this fall, Microsoft has commissioned Blockworks to create a Minecraft version of its new headquarters for employees to explore.

CNBC reports that Blockworks, a company that specializes in building Minecraft versions of real-world projects, created the version for Microsoft’s annual hackathon in July. Blockworks has also created virtual Minecraft versions of Disney, Museum of London, and Warner Bros. buildings. Anyone with the Minecraft: Education Editioncan now explore...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/microsoft-has-built-a-version-of-its-headquarters-in-minecraft36174SimeonMicrosoft has built a version of its headquarters in MinecraftFoxconn denies looking to transfer Chinese workers to incoming Wisconsin factory

The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Foxconn is looking to transfer some of its Chinese workforce to Wisconsin in time for its new factory opening in Racine. These workers, the Journal reports, would likely be engineers and would fill a gap in prospective talent due to a tight labor market. Given that the entire deal with Foxconn hinged on the promise of new jobs for Americans, that would be an unwelcome surprise for many in Wisconsin.

In a comment to Gizmodo, Foxconn denied that it was recruiting Chinese workers. The company said:

“We can categorically state that the assertion that we are recruiting Chinese personnel to staff our Wisconsin project is untrue. Our recruitment priority remains Wisconsin first and we continue...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/foxconn-denies-looking-to-transfer-chinese-workers-to-incoming-wisconsin-factory36175SimeonFoxconn denies looking to transfer Chinese workers to incoming Wisconsin factoryFacebook admits it screwed up on Myanmar — but it refuses to take all the blame

Facebook has released the conclusions of an independent assessment regarding its role in the recent genocidal violence in Myanmar. In short, the company admits that it previously wasn’t doing enough to prevent its network from “being used to foment division and incite offline violence,” but it argues it’s already begun making the changes necessary to prevent it from happening again. However, while the report shows that the company has made progress in how transparent it is about moderation, it stops short of making any firm commitments about audits like this in the future — a key demand from activists.

Facebook’s handling of the Myanmar crisis has been criticized by everyone from activists to the United Nations. Back in May, a coalition...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-admits-it-screwed-up-on-myanmar-but-it-refuses-to-take-all-the-blame36146SimeonFacebook admits it screwed up on Myanmar — but it refuses to take all the blameA first look at Spotify on the Apple Watch

Spotify is currently testing an Apple Watch app that’s expected to debut soon. We’ve been able to get access to Spotify’s Apple Watch app ahead of its release to try it out and find out what’s in store. The app itself appears to be an initial release with very basic features. There’s no offline support for playing Spotify songs on the Apple Watch away from your iPhone, and you can’t stream songs to an Apple Watch over LTE.

Instead, this Spotify Apple Watch app is mainly used as a Spotify Connect controller to let you change music on an iPhone or any other device that’s playing Spotify content and linked to your account. Spotify’s app replaces the “Now Playing” screen on the Apple Watch if you’re listening to Spotify songs on an iPhone,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/a-first-look-at-spotify-on-the-apple-watch36147SimeonA first look at Spotify on the Apple WatchThe MacBook Air needs Face ID and a delightful notch

The MacBook Air made its return last week, featuring a new Retina display, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and Apple’s T2 security chip in what the company called “the most secure boot process of any notebook.” It’s an interesting choice of words because when Apple introduced the iPad Pro shortly after, it called Face ID “more secure than any tablet or computer.” Presumably, that includes the super secure MacBook Air.

It was a jarring moment. Apple went straight from boasting about the security of its new MacBook Air to declaring it outdated and weak compared to the comparatively priced iPad in the span of just a few minutes. So why isn’t Apple putting Face ID on the Mac?

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-macbook-air-needs-face-id-and-a-delightful-notch36148SimeonThe MacBook Air needs Face ID and a delightful notchYouTube’s favorite Fiverr actor is banned from the service

Actors on online freelance marketplace Fiverr aren’t exactly household names, but one man has become a bit of a celebrity on YouTube for his spokesperson-like abilities. VoiceoverPete, otherwise known as Presenter Pete Ace, is one of Fiverr’s most popular users, but a recent ban for suspicious behavior has resulted in YouTube’s meme community coming out to support him.

Grandayy, one of YouTube’s most prolific meme creators, was the first to raise awareness regarding Pete’s ban. Grandayy tweeted about receiving a refund after trying to hire Pete for another video, including a screenshot of a message sent to him stating that “voiceoverpete” was no longer available on the marketplace.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/youtubes-favorite-fiverr-actor-is-banned-from-the-service36139SimeonYouTube’s favorite Fiverr actor is banned from the serviceTesla’s Navigate on Autopilot is like Waze on steroids

Tesla’s self-driving future is closer than ever — and probably not what we thought it would look like

]]>https://techfishnews.com/teslas-navigate-on-autopilot-is-like-waze-on-steroids36140SimeonTesla’s Navigate on Autopilot is like Waze on steroidsFacebook blocks dozens of accounts for ‘coordinated inauthentic behavior’ ahead of the 2018 midterm elections

Facebook announced that it has blocked around 30 Facebook accounts and 85 Instagram accounts ahead of the 2018 midterm elections that were “engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior,” following a tip from US law enforcement agencies on Sunday night.

The news was announced just hours before the polls opened in the United States. While Facebook says that it’s still investigating the accounts (which have already been blocked), the company is releasing the news early due to the proximity to the election. Facebook hasn’t explicitly stated what these accounts did or how many people they reached, but the announcement implies it’s more political influence issues that could affect the election.

Fortnite’s monstrous “Fortnitemares” event concluded over the weekend with a dramatic explosion that not only changed the island, but it also rid it of the zombie-like creatures that had invaded. And while those creatures — known as cube monsters — aren’t in Fortnite’s main battle royale mode anymore, that doesn’t mean they’ve disappeared completely. Today, developer Epic launched a new limited-time event in the game called “team terror,” in which two squads of 32 players each try to eliminate each other. The twist is that the map is also infested with cube monsters that are trying to kill you.

The new mode comes as part of the game’s latest patch, v6.22, which also introduces a number of other, smaller changes. There’s a new heavy...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-macbook-air-2018-review-the-present-of-computing36118SimeonApple MacBook Air (2018) review: the present of computingSamsung to show foldable phone design and interface tomorrow, says report

A Samsung official has reiterated that the company intends to unveil its long-awaited foldable phone this week at its developer conference, reports Reuters, with the intention of showing the phone to developers and the public to gather early feedback. Although the unnamed official admitted that this was a “different approach” to the consumer-facing launches the company has favored for its flagship handsets, they said it was necessary since “the foldable phone is a completely new concept in terms of design and user experience.”

Since the announcement is aimed at developers who’ll have to redesign their apps if they want them to make the most out of a folding display, it’s unlikely that we’ll see a consumer-ready device at the developer...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsung-to-show-foldable-phone-design-and-interface-tomorrow-says-report36112SimeonSamsung to show foldable phone design and interface tomorrow, says reportBird launches electric scooter pilot in London as part of ongoing European drive

Electric scooter hire company Bird is dipping a first toe into the murky waters of London as part of an ongoing expansion into Europe. The company is launching its hire vehicles on a single route in the city’s Olympic Park — the only way to get around a longstanding legal ban of electric scooters on London’s roads.

Since the scooter boom first took off, Londoners have been wondering when the vehicles would arrive in the UK’s capital. But as became clear this summer, the answer may be never. Under the Highway Act of 1835, the UK government defines electric scooters as “powered transporters,” a class of vehicle that can only legally be used on private property. (The same ban also covers two-wheeled hoverboards.)

]]>https://techfishnews.com/bird-launches-electric-scooter-pilot-in-london-as-part-of-ongoing-european-drive36113SimeonBird launches electric scooter pilot in London as part of ongoing European driveOpera will block those annoying cookie dialog boxes on its Android app

After briefly testing the feature in beta, Opera is officially rolling out the option for its Android app users to automatically block cookie dialog boxes that pop up on websites. (That type of pop-up is especially prevalent since GDPR went into effect back in May.) The company says it’s tested the blocker across 15,000 websites and hopes to support more going forward.

The technology relies on a “combination of CSS rules and JavaScript heuristics” to function, the company explains. Now, just turning off the dialog box won’t block the cookies. Users will have to choose whether they want to outright block all cookies, no cookies, or only block cookies from third parties.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/opera-will-block-those-annoying-cookie-dialog-boxes-on-its-android-app36110SimeonOpera will block those annoying cookie dialog boxes on its Android appWe tried the world’s first folding phone, and it actually works

Samsung may be just days away from taking the wraps off its very own foldable smartphone-tablet hybrid, but consumer electronics company Royole has stolen a bit of its thunder with its very own flexible display device. Called the FlexPai, the 7.8-inch hybrid device can fold 180 degrees and transform from a tablet into a phone, albeit a bulky one.

At an event in San Francisco this evening, Royole brought out a working version of the FlexPai that we actually got to hold, and the folding feature works as advertised. Granted, it feels miles away in quality from a high-end modern flagship, but it is still the first real foldable device I’ve seen in person, and not just in a concept video or prototype stage.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/we-tried-the-worlds-first-folding-phone-and-it-actually-works36105SimeonWe tried the world’s first folding phone, and it actually worksThat adorable baby bear clip captures the dark side of wildlife videos

In a video that went viral on social media over the weekend, a bear cub struggles up a steep, snow-covered slope towards its mother. The bear climbs a few steps, slips back down, and tries again — over, and over, until it finally reaches the top. To the thousands of people who shared it, it’s an inspirational nature video. To wildlife experts, it’s an irresponsible stunt that endangered the bears.

Ajit Pai and the FCC’s commissioners are growing as incensed and fed up with robocalls as the rest of us. Today, Pai sent a letter to over a dozen US mobile providers urging them to deploy an industry-wide method of combatting the automated nuisance calls — or else. “By this time next year, I expect that consumers will begin to see this on their phones,” Pai said in a press release.

“Carriers need to continue working together to make this happen and I am calling on those falling behind to catch up.” He added that “if it does not appear that this system is on track to get up and running next year, then we will take action to make sure that it does.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fcc-will-take-action-in-2019-if-carriers-arent-doing-enough-to-fight-robocalls36096SimeonFCC will ‘take action’ in 2019 if carriers aren’t doing enough to fight robocallsAMC will raise the price of its MoviePass competitor next year, citing strong demand

Theater chain AMC says its new MoviePass-style subscription service, called Stubs A-List, continues to grow at a surprising pace, with more than 500,000 members since its launch back in June. Yet because of that, AMC says it will now have to raise prices in pricier markets like California and New York to offset the higher-than-expected usage rates of subscribers. In some states, the price will increase by $4 to $23.95 a month, while in others it will increase by $2 to $21.95 a month. The pricing changes go into effect on January 9th, 2019.

As a result, AMC says it will offer A-List permanently — it was just offered in a test phase prior to today — and the company will continue to add additional benefits for subscribers. Those benefits...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amc-will-raise-the-price-of-its-moviepass-competitor-next-year-citing-strong-demand36090SimeonAMC will raise the price of its MoviePass competitor next year, citing strong demandThe Walking Dead has a Rick Grimes movie trilogy on the way

Last night, The Walking Dead dealt with the heavily marketed departure of series star Andrew Lincoln in a startling, unexpected way. The way the episode handled the event didn’t make sense from a story or audience perspective, but a story from The New York Times clarifies that it did make sense from a business standpoint, because the series’ network, AMC, is preparing a trilogy of Walking Dead spin-off movies that will bring Lincoln back in his role as series star Rick Grimes.

Warning: Major spoilers for The Walking Dead season 9, episode 5 below.

As those who watched the episode “What Comes Next” discovered, Lincoln leaving The Walking Dead turned out to be the biggest bait-and-switch in the show’s history. The promotion of this season...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-walking-dead-has-a-rick-grimes-movie-trilogy-on-the-way36078SimeonThe Walking Dead has a Rick Grimes movie trilogy on the wayNikola teases a third-generation hydrogen semi truck for Europe and Asia

American trucking startup Nikola Motor Company hasn’t been around for very long, but it just announced a third version of its hydrogen-electric semi geared at the European, Asian, and Australian markets. Dubbed the Nikola Tre, the new truck has a much different look from its two North American predecessors, but still promises to deliver similar specs.

The Tre will use a hydrogen fuel cell to power electric motors that generate up to 1,000 horsepower, and it also offers torque vectoring. It will be able to travel between 500 and 1,200 kilometers on a single tank (about 310 to 750 miles) depending on how it’s configured, and can be refueled from empty in about 20 minutes. The truck will also be fitted with sensors that will enable full...

Google has confirmed that it is aware of a memory management issue causing unexpected app crashes on the new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, and it plans to fix it with an upcoming software update, according to 9to5Google.

While the fix is not included in the company’s November update, which came out today, it sounds as if it should be arriving with December’s update. Google told 9to5Google that the fix should arrive “in the coming weeks” and will be designed to “keep background apps from being prematurely closed.”

a sure fire way to kill a Spotify stream on the Pixel 3 is to open the camera and snap a few shots https://t.co/9sJibz0HEQ

New photos have leaked of the Asus Zenfone 6 from Italian website HDBlog.it. This purportedly final design of the Zenfone 6 mirrors the leaks we saw of it last week. This also means Asus’ designers are convinced their flagship smartphone with a notch on the upper right corner is a good look.

Taking a closer look, you’ll notice the only factors that are affected by the offset teardrop notch are the battery indicator and cell signal indicators. It’s an unusual design choice that catches my eye (in a bad way) more than centered notches.

Other hardware features include three rear cameras and a fingerprint sensor beneath the camera cluster. It’s likely Asus will debut this phone at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this coming February,...

Electric scooter-sharing company Lime announced today that it’s launching a new safety campaign called Respect the Ride, which will see the company invest $3 million to educate riders on safe scooter practices, distribute helmets, and better maintain its bikes and scooters. The announcement comes just days after the company recalled some of its Segway Ninebot scooters in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Lake Tahoe due to manufacturing defects that could result in battery explosions.

Lime is asking its riders to take the Respect the Ride pledge, and it will be distributing helmets to the first 25,000 people who sign it. In a blog post published today, the company says it will be distributing more than 250,000 free helmets to riders globally...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/lime-is-investing-3-million-to-educate-riders-on-safe-scooter-practices36066SimeonLime is investing $3 million to educate riders on safe scooter practicesMaybe I can finally buy this tiny Android laptop now that it doubles as a phone

As a noted physical QWERTY keyboard lover, I definitely drooled over the original Gemini PDA... but not for long. Because while a tiny laptop sounds like fun, it’s tough to justify carrying a pocket computer that doesn’t take pictures, make calls, or let me check Twitter without flipping the blasted thing open.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/maybe-i-can-finally-buy-this-tiny-android-laptop-now-that-it-doubles-as-a-phone36067SimeonMaybe I can finally buy this tiny Android laptop now that it doubles as a phoneDeadpool 2 returns to theaters as PG-13 Christmas film Once Upon a Deadpool

Deadpool 2 is returning to theaters this December, but not in the way you’d expect. As previously reported, the famously foul-mouthed superhero sequel is getting a second theatrical run but as a toned-down PG-13-rated Christmas version titled Once Upon A Deadpool, according to Deadline.

As teased by star Ryan Reynolds back in September, Once Upon A Deadpool will fill in the R-rated edits with a new frame narrative that rips off / pays homage to the fan-favorite film The Princess Bride, where a much, much older Fred Savage reprises his role as a bed-ridden child. However, Once Upon A Deadpool will replace Peter Falk’s kindly grandfather with Deadpool as the storyteller instead.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/deadpool-2-returns-to-theaters-as-pg-13-christmas-film-once-upon-a-deadpool36068SimeonDeadpool 2 returns to theaters as PG-13 Christmas film Once Upon a DeadpoolAmazon will reportedly split its second headquarters between two cities

Amazon is reportedly going to split its second headquarters between two cities, according to The Wall Street Journal. It’s a surprising development in Amazon's long journey to find another headquarters location. Each city location would employ 25,000 people. The decision has to do with recruiting enough talent and also preemptively addressing issues with housing and transit, the WSJ reports.

Amazon still hasn’t announced where its new headquarters will be located, although The Wall Street Journal has said the company is looking into Crystal City, Virginia; Dallas, Texas; and New York City. The Washington Post also reported that Amazon held “advanced discussions” in Crystal City that were “more detailed” than similar talks with other...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-will-reportedly-split-its-second-headquarters-between-two-cities36053SimeonAmazon will reportedly split its second headquarters between two citiesTencent will soon require Chinese users to present IDs to play its video games

China’s Tencent will soon require gamers to prove their ages and identities against police records, according to a new official statement yesterday. Under the new system, users will need to register their Chinese national IDs in order to play any games from Tencent.

Ten mobile games will get the new verification system by the end of the year, and all games offered by Tencent, including PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and League of Legends, will get the system by 2019.

Tencent has been criticized by state-run People’s Daily, which called Arena of Valor “poison,” after reports that students were ditching their homework to play the mobile game. Arena of Valor’s appeal was evident while I was in China; I witnessed young people at restaurants...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tencent-will-soon-require-chinese-users-to-present-ids-to-play-its-video-games36054SimeonTencent will soon require Chinese users to present IDs to play its video gamesInstagram might be working on school Stories

Instagram appears to be working on a school-based version of Stories that would only contain content from a particular school’s student body, as reported by TechCrunch.

The code for School Stories was first spotted by tipster Jane Manchun Wong, and it details a couple of features. Only people within the school’s community would be able to contribute and view their School Story. Also, School Stories would be moderated and “manually reviewed to make sure the community is safe.” Instagram declined to comment.

School Stories are manually reviewed:

"Only people in the <specific> community can see this. School stories are manually reviewed to make sure the community is safe." pic.twitter.com/XXITr1S1VB

]]>https://techfishnews.com/instagram-might-be-working-on-school-stories36055SimeonInstagram might be working on school StoriesFoxconn’s $100M deal with the University of Wisconsin has students worried

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison in late August, chancellor Rebecca Blank and Foxconn chairman Terry Gou announced the largest industry research partnership in the school’s history. The Taiwanese tech giant would invest $100 million in the school and help establish a new research facility for the College of Engineering. “UW–Madison and Foxconn share a commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge through interdisciplinary research and we are deeply grateful for Chairman Gou’s support and partnership,” Blank said.

Last year, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker wooed Foxconn to the state with the promise of a $3 billion subsidy, which grew to $4.1 billion and included exemptions from environmental regulations, special treatment from...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/foxconns-100m-deal-with-the-university-of-wisconsin-has-students-worried36046SimeonFoxconn’s $100M deal with the University of Wisconsin has students worriedwatchOS 5.1.1 is out now, and it will no longer brick your Apple Watch

Apple has released a new watchOS 5.1.1 update, which fixes the last update’s issues with bricking users’ Apple Watches. The latest watchOS update includes more than 70 new emoji released with iOS 12.1, new full-screen color watchfaces, and support for group FaceTime audio for up to 32 people.

watchOS 5.1 was released and quickly pulled last week, after users reported the update rendered their watches unusable during the installation. Affected users had no options other than calling Apple support and waiting for a replacement watch, as the watch can’t be plugged into a computer if something should go wrong. Apple Watch owners can rest assured that today’s update is specifically built not to brick their devices.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/watchos-511-is-out-now-and-it-will-no-longer-brick-your-apple-watch36047SimeonwatchOS 5.1.1 is out now, and it will no longer brick your Apple WatchIn defense of TikTok, the joyful, slightly cringe-inducing spiritual successor to Vine

One of the latest fads to wash onto the shores of YouTube comes from TikTok, a grander version of Musical.ly that gives users an array of editing options to make short, Vine-like videos. In one corner of YouTube, TikTok’s biggest fans upload challenge compilations and weekly updates, each playing like a more elaborate Vine supercut — something you can watch on repeat without getting bored. Type in “TikTok compilation” into YouTube’s search bar, and thousands upon thousands of answers generate. Videos have anywhere from 500,000 to more than a million views.

Another, perhaps louder corner — one which has come to include some of YouTube’s biggest commentators, react channels, and memesters — has become obsessed with the app’s more...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/in-defense-of-tiktok-the-joyful-slightly-cringe-inducing-spiritual-successor-to-vine36048SimeonIn defense of TikTok, the joyful, slightly cringe-inducing spiritual successor to VineBarnes & Noble releases a new Nook tablet with its largest display ever

Today is just another day online. It’s also a day when we received news of a new Nook tablet from Barnes & Noble. The Nook 10.1” costs $129.99 and has the line’s largest display ever at — you guessed it — 10.1 inches. That IPS display is 1920 x 1200 pixels with 224 ppi. It goes on sale on November 14th. Some other specs to note:

32GB of expandable storage

Up to 8.5 hours of battery life

Wi-Fi

Charges over Micro USB 2.0 and includes a headphone jack

2-megapixel rear-facing camera with a 2-megapixel front-facing camera

Unlike 2017’s Nook GlowLight 3, the new Nook is a true tablet that’s not just designed for reading. It also runs Android and ships with the Play Store, so you can do everything you’d usually do with an Android tablet —...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/barnes-noble-releases-a-new-nook-tablet-with-its-largest-display-ever36049SimeonBarnes & Noble releases a new Nook tablet with its largest display everReal security flaws became a sketchy hacking investigation in Georgia

Just a few days before the midterm elections, Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial candidate and secretary of state, Brian Kemp, accused Georgia’s Democratic Party of hacking into the state’s voter registration base. It was a controversial move that is already generating concerns regarding conflicts of interest. Kemp’s office has yet to provide any evidence in support of these claims, and with mere hours left before the final votes are cast, it’s unclear what his motives are in announcing the investigation.

It now seems like Kemp’s accusation may have referred to a legitimate cybersecurity investigation by Georgia Democrats, which uncovered real and significant flaws in the state’s voter registration system. If that research was the source...

Facebook is gearing up for the holiday season by launching a small number of pop-up shops around the United States.

The company announced today that it will open pop-ups with more than 100 brands in nine different Macy’s locations. The 100 brands’ products will be available for purchase through the pop-up shops, and they are some of the “most-loved brands” on Instagram and Facebook, according to a blog post on the company’s website. Some of those brands include Love Your Melon, an apparel line that helps raise awareness and fight against pediatric cancers, and Two Blind Brothers, a nonprofit clothing line that donates all proceeds to blindness research.

Although this is a tepid step into physical retail stores for Facebook, it could be...

To enter the “Lenovo Lecoo Unmanned Store,” customers wave to a tablet with a camera, which uses facial recognition to identify their account profile. Then, like Amazon Go’s system, customers can browse, pick up the items, freely exit, and the charges will be automatically deducted from their mobile payments accounts.

Although Lenovo is best known for making computers, phones, and smart home devices, its Lecoo convenience store mainly carries food. Many Chinese tech companies...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/lenovo-opened-a-cashier-less-store-in-beijing36040SimeonLenovo opened a cashier-less store in BeijingThe Walking Dead has condemned itself for all time

Last week on The Walking Dead, it appeared that the show had taken a step in a bold new direction. Press releases had announced that series star Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) would depart the series well ahead of the expected midseason finale send-off. And then it looked as if new showrunner Angela Kang had opted to kill Rick off even before the announced date. It was quick, clean, and surprising — a stark contrast to the show’s tradition of milking key dramatic moments to the point of audience fatigue. The episode’s ending seemed in line with Kang’s vision for a reimagined Walking Dead. It seemed too good to be true.

It was.

Last night’s episode, “What Comes After,” not only undid that invigorating switcheroo, but it subverted the entire...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-walking-dead-has-condemned-itself-for-all-time36041SimeonThe Walking Dead has condemned itself for all time SpaceX’s helipad-equipped boat will bring astronauts safely home

A freshly upgraded SpaceX ship and its crew just went through dramatic dress rehearsals, running through how they’d rescue injured astronauts after they return to Earth. When SpaceX starts ferrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station next year, the company’s ocean vessel Go Searcher will be tasked with recovering SpaceX’s crewed Dragon capsules that splash down in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship is now equipped for a worst-case-scenario with medical treatment facilities and a helipad, in case returning astronauts need to be evacuated quickly to a hospital.

Go Searcher is part of a fleet of ocean vessels that SpaceX has acquired over the years to aid in its spaceflight efforts. The most famous of these are SpaceX’s...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/spacexs-helipad-equipped-boat-will-bring-astronauts-safely-home36019SimeonSpaceX’s helipad-equipped boat will bring astronauts safely homeAmazon is kicking off November with daily discounts and a Black Friday deal preview

Leave it to Amazon to begin Black Friday shopping festivities a few weeks early. Like Target, Amazon has already started cutting prices on several of its own devices, and it’s introducing several more discounted products on a rotating basis.

As its daily Black Friday sales continue, we’ll be adding and removing items in order to reflect what’s currently available. We’ve also included the deals that have been confirmed by Amazon to arrive later in November. Use it to plan your holiday shopping and compare prices with other retailers.

Portable audio

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-is-kicking-off-november-with-daily-discounts-and-a-black-friday-deal-preview36020SimeonAmazon is kicking off November with daily discounts and a Black Friday deal previewGab is back online after being banned by GoDaddy, PayPal, and more

Social network Gab, a less-moderated alternative to Facebook or Twitter that’s popular among far-right figures, is back online after losing its domain registrar and hosting service. The site resumed operations on Sunday, slightly more than a week after a Gab user allegedly shot and killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue, prompting several companies to stop working with the site.

Gab went offline on October 28th, following news reports that shooter Robert Bowers maintained a site profile full of anti-Semitic tirades. Payment processor PayPal quickly banned Gab for “explicitly allowing the perpetuation of hate, violence or discriminatory intolerance.” It was followed by hosting company Joyent, payment processor Stripe, domain registrar...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/gab-is-back-online-after-being-banned-by-godaddy-paypal-and-more36021SimeonGab is back online after being banned by GoDaddy, PayPal, and moreElection 2018: voting tools, discounted rides, and everything else you need to know to vote

Election Day is tomorrow, November 6th, in the United States, and the 2018 midterm elections are likely going to be some of the most contentious elections in recent history. While President Donald Trump isn’t up for reelection yet, the House of Representatives and Senate are in play for both parties, along with gubernatorial races, attorney general elections, and marijuana legalization initiatives in four different states.

It’s a lot to take in, but the internet is here to help. Here’s everything you need to get ready for the big day, complete with registration information, polling locations, ride-sharing deals, and more.

Check your registration

You can’t vote if you’re not registered, so be sure to check that your registration is set...

Niantic Labs made itself a global name when it worked with Nintendo to create augmented reality hit Pokémon Go. But the game developer that originated as an internal Google startup first got off the ground developing one of the earliest mainstream AR apps years earlier. Called Ingress, the mobile game introduced many of the same features that later became core pillars of Pokémon Go — particularly the capturing and controlling of virtual locations overlaid onto the real world. It was, however, very early in the AR trend, and Niantic’s ambitions outpaced the available software and the smartphone hardware of the time.

Now, five years after its first game launched and with much more advanced AR tools at its disposal, Niantic is rebooting...

With Chrome 71, Google is stepping up its fight against the internet’s abusive ads problem by blocking every ad on a site that persistently shows them. Abusive ads come in many forms, but broadly speaking cause your browser to misbehave by either generating fake system messages, automatically redirecting you, or attempt to steal personal information.

This isn’t the first time that Google has tried to use Chrome to address the problem. Back in July, Chrome 68 would prevent sites from opening new tabs or windows if they were reported for serving abusive experiences. Chrome 71, scheduled for release in December, will give site owners a 30 day grace period to clean up their site after an abusive experience is reported. Failure to remove the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/chrome-will-soon-ad-block-an-entire-website-if-it-shows-abusive-ads36024SimeonChrome will soon ad-block an entire website if it shows abusive adsThe OnePlus 6T is now available in purple in China

When the OnePlus 6T was officially announced last week, the Chinese manufacturer revealed two colors — both of them black. Now, a purple model is on the way (via 9to5Google), but, unfortunately, it’s exclusive to China for the time being.

Country-exclusive handset colors have become a fairly common feature of international smartphone releases, with manufacturers grappling to serve different looks around the world. Interestingly, it always seems to be the bolder color schemes that miss out on a Western release, like the recent copper-colored Samsung Galaxy Note 9 that was exclusive to India.

The purple OnePlus 6T is available in China now for ¥3,399 (around $490) with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. When contacted for comment, a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-oneplus-6t-is-now-available-in-purple-in-china36006SimeonThe OnePlus 6T is now available in purple in China7-Eleven starts experimenting with cashier-less checkouts

7-Eleven announced today that it’s installing scan-and-go technology in 14 Dallas-based stores this week, according to Digiday. The technology will allow customers to scan the barcodes of items they want to buy and then pay through their phone, either with a card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Customers will need the 7-Eleven rewards app to complete the transaction. People will have to then scan a QR code on their way out of the store to confirm payment. The entire purchasing process is done through the 7-Eleven rewards app, which will determine when customers are within range of an equipped store and will load the feature automatically.

These stores won’t be completely cashier-less, however: employees will still need to handle hot food and...

Best Buy is offering a free Nest Cam Indoor security camera with the purchase of a Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL when activated with Verizon’s service. Normally $199.99, this offer is competitive with (and perhaps beats, depending who you ask) the company’s prior offer that bundled a $100 Best Buy gift card with the phone.

If you were planning to get the Pixel 3 on Verizon and you have any interest in a smart camera for your home, this offer seems worth taking advantage of. Still, it’s likely that more offers will pop up with Black Friday and Cyber Monday right around the corner.

The Nest Cam Indoor is a good launching point for building out your smart home. For most people, it provides more than enough functionality to keep an eye on...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/googles-pixel-3-comes-with-a-free-nest-cam-at-best-buy36008SimeonGoogle’s Pixel 3 comes with a free Nest Cam at Best BuyThese apps will tell you if your friends voted

It’s easy enough to say you’re going to the polls, but nobody is really tracking whether you cast your ballot — until now. Two new political apps, VoteWithMe and OutVote, will help you see if your friends voted and what their party affiliations are. Both apps were designed to help you encourage your friends and family to vote in the upcoming midterm election, as first reported byThe New York Times.

How your friends voted in previous elections remains secret, but their voting histories are not. The two apps take information from public government records and make it more easily accessible. Now, instead of having to look up each of your friends to see if they’ve voted, you only need to sync your phone contacts.

One of the biggest advantages of the USB Type-C port on the new iPad Pro is that it opens up the possibility for the tablet to be used with existing laptop USB-C hubs. However, that doesn’t mean that the iPad Pro won’t get a couple of dedicated hubs of its own, and this HyperDrive model will be one of the first.

The dock sits flush with the side of the display when attached, and adds many of the same ports you’d expect to see on a laptop. There’s an HDMI port, SD and microSD card slots, USB-A, and USB-C PD ports, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack that Apple didn’t include on the tablet. However, despite the range of ports, the things you’ll be able to do with connected devices may still be limited. For example, while the image above...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/whats-in-your-bag-the-regrettes35992SimeonWhat’s In Your Bag, The Regrettes?Samsung teases its foldable phone reveal with social media avatars

Samsung’s developer conference kicks off later this week, and that means we might finally get to see the long-awaited reveal of its foldable smartphone. In anticipation of the reveal, Samsung has placed some not-so-subtle hints on its Twitter and Facebook profiles, changing the profile pictures on both accounts to show a folded take on the company’s logo.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsung-teases-its-foldable-phone-reveal-with-social-media-avatars35993SimeonSamsung teases its foldable phone reveal with social media avatarsThe League of Legends world championship opened with an AR K-pop concert

League of Legends developer Riot Games opened its annual world championships with a special K-pop augmented reality performance created specifically to promote its new K/DA skins.

Riot introduced four new K/DA skins for League of Legends players recently, and to celebrate the launch, the developer teamed up with popular K-pop stars Madison Beer, (G)I-DLE, and Jaira Burns. The song, “Pop/Stars,” is performed by the aforementioned artists in the video above, and they’re accompanied by some of the four K/DA skins onstage via augmented reality.

Not only is the opening ceremonies performance incredible to watch — especially as AR versions of the K/DA skins glide across the stage or emerge from the air — but the song is also a straight up...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-league-of-legends-world-championship-opened-with-an-ar-k-pop-concert35994SimeonThe League of Legends world championship opened with an AR K-pop concertFortnite will start selling NFL skins this week

It’s not unusual to see a Fortnite dance celebration after a goal in any sport, so it was only a matter of time before the battle royale game officially brought that connection in-game. Today, Epic Games announced a partnership with the National Football League that will bring a variety of jersey cosmetics that players can wear.

According to Epic, these outfits can look like any of the 32 NFL teams on the roster, though players will be able to choose their own number. There will also be a made-up Fortnite team jersey. All jerseys will be available on November 9th in the in-game shop, though the price is unknown. Based on the video accompanying the announcement, it seems that this tie-in will also have some new emotes for purchase, too.

Cameras have been getting progressively more advanced from a technical side of things. Some companies are replacing simple dials and knobs with giant touchscreens and even integrated Adobe Lightroom software. Taken in that light, the Yongnuo YN450 seems like the logical conclusion here: it’s a full-fledged mirrorless camera with support for Canon’s EF line of lenses, but it also runs Android Nougat on a 5-inch touchscreen display, via PetaPixel.

And it sure does look a whole lot like Yongnuo has literally bolted a camera together with an Android phone. It offers a 16-megapixel Four Thirds sensor that can shoot in RAW, along with 4K video at 30 fps (and the aforementioned Canon EF lens compatibility).

]]>https://techfishnews.com/this-mirrorless-camera-runs-android-and-works-with-canon-lenses35996SimeonThis mirrorless camera runs Android and works with Canon lensesOath will soon be rebranded as Verizon Media Group

We roasted Verizon last year when it merged its AOL and Yahoo purchases into a new group called Oath. Today, the company’s CEO Guru Gowrappan announced that Oath is no more; Verizon’s collective media outlets will be called the Verizon Media Group starting in 2019.

This shift comes with other organizational changes that mostly involve segmenting Verizon’s respective businesses from one another, including new consumer and business-focused groups. Oath’s media assets, including HuffPost, TechCrunch, Engadget, and Tumblr, are all continuing onward under the new, less bizarre parent company name.

Oath, HuffPost's oddly-named corporate parent company that came of merging AOL and Yahoo, is phasing out the name and rebranding as Verizon...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/oath-will-soon-be-rebranded-as-verizon-media-group35997Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZXF90VRFeX-pkrBzhNbwiSPZ6Go=/0x0:2789x1859/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62192123/oath.0.jpgOath will soon be rebranded as Verizon Media GroupAnki Vector review: modern-day TamagotchiThe sequel to Anki’s lovable, Pixar-like toy robot is much more powerful. But it’s still very much a toy

The end of the year is fast approaching, bringing with it the yearly anxiety of what the lyrics to “Auld Lang Syne” are, and what gifts you should be getting for the wonderful people in your life. Whether that’s for friends, family, coworkers, pets, they, them, him, her, secret Santa, or white elephant, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what to get people.

So to make your lives a little easier in 2018, we’ve tapped into the collective knowledge of The Verge to put together a list of great gifts for all manner of ages, sizes, and budgets. Or at least you might get a good present idea for a loved one from our recommendations.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/sen-mark-warner-on-breaking-up-facebook-and-congresss-plan-to-regulate-tech35979SimeonSen. Mark Warner on breaking up Facebook and Congress’s plan to regulate techApple iPad Pro review 2018: the fastest iPad is still an iPadThe thing about bullet trains is that they’re always on rails

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-ipad-pro-review-2018-the-fastest-ipad-is-still-an-ipad35968SimeonApple iPad Pro review 2018: the fastest iPad is still an iPadAmazon opens another 4-star store in Berkeley, California

Amazon’s latest brick-and-mortar shop, one of its 4-star stores, opens today in Berkeley, California, marking the third 4-star location in just two months. The 4-star store, which sells a mix of Amazon-made electronics like Echo speakers and Fire tablets and other popular items sold on Amazon.com with at least 4-star customer rating or above, first opened in New York City back in late September. Last week, a listing for a new store in Colorado popped up, and Amazon confirmed that the location — in Lone Tree outside of Denver would be opening on Thursday of last week with one in Berkeley coming soon.

Now, it appears the opening was imminent, as Amazon says its Berkeley location is opening its doors today for the first time after a...

Starting today in the US, Amazon says it’s removing the minimum purchase requirement for an order to qualify for free delivery for non-Prime members. Normally, you have to spend $25 in order to qualify for free standard shipping — which usually takes between five and eight days — from the online retailer. An exact end-point was not given for the promotion, which Amazon described as a limited-time offer for the holiday season.

The promotion comes as Target last month introduced free two-day shipping in an attempt to capture more of the market during the holiday shopping rush. Walmart offers free two-day shipping on orders of $35 and up. Amazon’s promotion will further ratchet up the pressure on these incumbent retailers, making it...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-drops-minimum-purchase-requirement-for-free-holiday-shipping35956SimeonAmazon drops minimum purchase requirement for free holiday shippingChevy’s new electric Camaro is the near future of EV drag racing

GM made a fun surprise announcement at this past week’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show: an all-electric Chevrolet Camaro concept with 700 horsepower meant to bust out a quarter mile run in about nine seconds. And unlike EV performance cars like the NIO EP9 or the upcoming second-generation Tesla Roadster, which are purpose-built, the Camaro concept appears to be a beautiful, cobbled-together Frankenstein’s monster of a car.

The car, dubbed the eCOPO Concept (after the original COPO Camaro special order performance models from the late 1960s) looks like any other modern Camaro from the outside, even in electric blue paint. Inside is much different. For instance, the eCOPO is powered by a combination of...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/chevys-new-electric-camaro-is-the-near-future-of-ev-drag-racing35942SimeonChevy’s new electric Camaro is the near future of EV drag racing Fortnite’s mysterious cube is gone, leaving behind a brand new location

“Fortnitemares” has come to an end, and it left the world of Fortnite dramatically altered. This afternoon the battle royale game was home to a live, one-time-only in-game event, which marked the end of the monster-filled Halloween mode and introduced a number of changes to the game. More than 1 million people watched the event happening in real-time on Twitch alone.

It all started when the game’s mysterious, purple cube disappeared. First, it starting melting, dripping something into the lake it hovered over. Then the cube began pulsating and spinning rapidly, before it eventually disappeared — and pulled players into a strange, brightly-lit realm. There, you couldn’t do much but float and watch a strange butterfly fluttering about.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fortnites-mysterious-cube-is-gone-leaving-behind-a-brand-new-location35940SimeonFortnite’s mysterious cube is gone, leaving behind a brand new locationSteven Yeun on Burning, The Walking Dead, and changing roles for Asian-Americans

For fans of The Walking Dead, Steven Yeun is a familiar face — he played fan-favorite character Glenn Rhee over the course of six years and seven seasons of the show, in the process earning a fandom and rapidly kickstarting a widely varying acting career. Asian-American actors often struggle to find roles that don’t fall into simple, predictable stereotypes, but Yeun has kept things complicated, playing a conflicted animal-rights activist in Bong Joon-ho’s Netflix weird fable Okja, a confident union agitator in Boots Riley’s Sorry to Bother You, and lone-wolf pilot Keith in the animated series Voltron: Legendary Defender.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/steven-yeun-on-burning-the-walking-dead-and-changing-roles-for-asian-americans35941SimeonSteven Yeun on Burning, The Walking Dead, and changing roles for Asian-AmericansJolted is a deep dive into a school shooting that didn’t happen

There are a ton of podcasts out there, but finding the right one can be difficult. In our column Pod Hunters, we cover what we’ve been listening to that we can’t stop thinking about.

Just two days after the deadly school shooting at the Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida, authorities in Vermont arrested 18-year-old Jack Sawyer, who told a friend that he planned to commit a similar shooting at his former high school. The revelation had a bombshell effect on the state: Republican governor Phil Scott eventually signed three bills that implemented some restrictions on gun ownership in the traditionally gun-friendly state. Earlier this fall, Vermont Public Radio released a five-part podcast called Jolted that delved into the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/jolted-is-a-deep-dive-into-a-school-shooting-that-didnt-happen35936SimeonJolted is a deep dive into a school shooting that didn’t happen Why Guillermo del Toro’s attention to detail makes his movie monsters stand out

Guillermo del Toro is behind some of cinema’s most inventive and visually-pleasing genre films in recent years — Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, Hellboy, and The Shape of Water all enjoy stunning costume and set design that complement their stories and which stand out from the rest of what you might see in theaters. A new video from YouTuber Kristian Williams, (aka kaptainkristian) explores why the filmmaker’s movie monsters are so memorable, especially in an age when CGI is so prevalent.

A key reason for why del Toro’s films are so memorable is the attention to detail and effort put into the design of his characters, and how they interact with their surroundings. In Pan’s Labyrinth, Williams notes that the faun complements his...

Steve Jobs changed the world of laptops 10 years ago when he introduced the MacBook Air by removing it from a tiny paper office envelope. It was a moment that shocked the audience at Apple’s Macworld 2008 keynote, and sent shockwaves through the entire PC market. Apple created a wedge shaped laptop that at its thickest part was still thinner than the thinnest part of the Sony TZ Series — one of the thinnest laptops back in 2008. No other PC maker had anything that could compete, and it took years for the PC market to find an answer.

Apple’s MacBook Air from 10 years ago signaled a new era for laptops, but the company’s latest refresh, unveiled earlier this week, shows how the competition has caught up. While the original MacBook Air...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apples-new-macbook-air-faces-strong-windows-and-ipad-competition35932SimeonApple’s new MacBook Air faces strong Windows and iPad competitionElon Musk shows off the Boring Company ‘disturbingly long’ LA tunnel in a short video

In October, Elon Musk said that the Boring Company’s proof-of-concept tunnel in LA will open to the public on December 10th. Last night, he said on Twitter that the opening is still on track, and posted a video of his walk down the entire length of the tunnel.

The sped-up video takes just over 30 seconds, and shows off the two-mile-long tunnel that Musk describes as “disturbingly long.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/elon-musk-shows-off-the-boring-company-disturbingly-long-la-tunnel-in-a-short-video35925SimeonElon Musk shows off the Boring Company ‘disturbingly long’ LA tunnel in a short videoMotorola’s notched Android One smartphone is coming to the US for $399

Motorola today announced that it’s bringing the Motorola One to the United States a few months after the Android One phone launched internationally. It will be available exclusively from Best Buy for $399; you’ll be able to order it online (in black) beginning November 9th or find it in stores (in white) as of November 11th. The One is sold as a GSM-unlocked device, so it’ll work on AT&T and T-Mobile, but not Verizon or Sprint.

The Motorola One has a look that’s very similar to Apple’s iPhone X, featuring a notched 5.9-inch display (720x1520). The device’s “chin” is big enough for Moto to stamp its logo on. The rest of the One’s spec sheet is also on the mid-range side: you get a Qualcomm 625 processor, 64GB storage (with microSD), 4GB...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/motorolas-notched-android-one-smartphone-is-coming-to-the-us-for-39935926SimeonMotorola’s notched Android One smartphone is coming to the US for $399Apple’s 2019 iPhones may feature an upgraded Face ID camera

Kuo, (via MacRumors) says that he believes that Apple will utilize a new sensor that will better illuminate one’s face “to lower the impacts from visible lights of environment in order to improve the Face ID user experience.”

The report also suggests that Apple might introduce another range-sensing system with a Time of Flight 3D camera in its 2019 or 2020 iPads (potentially with the 2020 iPhones. This type of sensor measures the time in which a light dot travels between the camera and subject, and could be used to capture 3D images. The system could potentially be used for augmented reality...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apples-2019-iphones-may-feature-an-upgraded-face-id-camera35921SimeonApple’s 2019 iPhones may feature an upgraded Face ID camera Now that the crowd is here, the fun can begin in MapleStory 2

I couldn’t decide if I wanted to play MapleStory 2 when it was released globally in October. I had eagerly anticipated it since its South Korean launch in 2015, but now that it was here, I needed to see if my friends and boyfriend — whom I met in the original MapleStory — wanted to join, so that I would have a guild and people to party up with on quests.

It wasn’t long before they seemed bored by it. During the beta testing phase this May, hardly anyone was approved to be a beta tester, so the worlds of Maple were lonesome. Then in the weeks leading up to MapleStory 2’s global launch, nobody said a word in my Discord channel. Nobody, it seemed, cared. That included me — I planned to spend this winter getting comfy with my PS4, trying...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/now-that-the-crowd-is-here-the-fun-can-begin-in-maplestory-235922SimeonNow that the crowd is here, the fun can begin in MapleStory 2Remembering Grim Fandango: this week in tech, 20 years ago

You can find a lot of Halloween-themed coverage on The Verge, but this week also marked the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos — and the 20th anniversary of Grim Fandango, the classic adventure game that was heavily inspired by it. Grim Fandango was one of the last games from the acclaimed studio LucasArts, and its clever blend of noir pastiche and folklore has earned it acclaim since the very beginning, when GameSpot praised its “great writing and beautiful art direction.”

There’s a less-than-proud tradition of artists ripping off surface-level Día de Muertos imagery, an issue game director Tim Schafer has discussed: “I knew I was appropriating someone else’s culture, so the idea was to be as authentic as possible and do as much research as...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/remembering-grim-fandango-this-week-in-tech-20-years-ago35902SimeonRemembering Grim Fandango: this week in tech, 20 years agoAmazon is reportedly in ‘advanced discussions’ to locate its HQ2 in Northern Virginia

Amazon is apparently narrowing in on its location for its second headquarters: Crystal City, Virginia, on the outskirts of Washington DC in Northern Virginia. The Washington Post says that the company has “held advanced discussions” that are “more detailed” than similar talks happening in other candidate locations in the immediate region and around the country.

The Post says that the talks have included discussions about which buildings the company can occupy, and how quickly it can more employees there. It cites two people “close to the process” that indicate that Amazon could likely move “several hundred employees” into a pair of office buildings within nine months if the city is ultimately selected.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-is-reportedly-in-advanced-discussions-to-locate-its-hq2-in-northern-virginia35900SimeonAmazon is reportedly in ‘advanced discussions’ to locate its HQ2 in Northern Virginia $100 off an Xbox One console with Red Dead Redemption 2 deal expires today, plus other tech deals

Black Friday isn’t quite here yet, but we wouldn’t blame you for assuming it was late November already given the amount of deals that have started to pop up. Target has unleashed its Black Friday ad, and we expect others to follow suit shortly.

Before things get too hectic with shopping for the holidays, there are a some really good deals to check out — a few of which will expire pretty soon.

Expiring later today, November 3rd, is the big promo blitz for Red Dead Redemption 2 that takes $100 off an Xbox One console when you buy the new open-world game. Developer Rockstar’s latest title comes free in this promo, plus you’ll get a new console for the cheapest prices we’ve seen yet. Find a few of the best bundles below, and check out more...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/100-off-an-xbox-one-console-with-red-dead-redemption-2-deal-expires-today-plus-other-tech-deals35896Simeon$100 off an Xbox One console with Red Dead Redemption 2 deal expires today, plus other tech dealsApple’s first 5G iPhone could come in 2020: report

Wireless carriers are preparing for 5G connectivity, the next generation of cellular networking that promises to bring faster download speeds to consumers. Hardware manufacturers are also getting ready, with plans alreadyin motionfor a number of devices that will take advantage of those faster networks. A new report suggests that Apple will release its 5G phone in 2020.

The FCC granted Apple approval to experiment with 5G technology last year, laying the groundwork for a 5G phone down the road. A report in Fast Company cites “a source with knowledge of Apple’s plans,” who says that the phone will be released in 2020. The report also notes that the company plans to use Intel’s 8161 5G modem chip, although there are still some technical...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apples-first-5g-iphone-could-come-in-2020-report35892SimeonApple’s first 5G iPhone could come in 2020: report Red Moon is a novel full of fascinating ideas that never come together

Kim Stanley Robinson is known for his heady and thought-provoking science fiction novels. Aurora turned the concept of a generation ship on its head, following a decrepit interstellar ship sailing for a moon in the Tau Ceti system, while New York 2140 examines the economics of climate change. His latest, Red Moon, is set within spitting distance of today, envisioning the power struggle between an ascendant China and a declining United States. While it’s chock-full of ideas, it’s an underwhelming read compared to his recent stories.

China’s rise as a major power has become a curious focus for science fiction in recent years. This isn’t even the first book depicting lunar clashes between China and the US this year — David Pedreira’s novel...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/red-moon-is-a-novel-full-of-fascinating-ideas-that-never-come-together35893SimeonRed Moon is a novel full of fascinating ideas that never come together Spinal implants help treat paralysis but aren’t ready for primetime

As the midterms approach, a central question has been how campaigns would adapt to the fact their digital ads were now public. Thanks to online archives established this year by Facebook, Google, Twitter, we now have unprecedented visibility into campaigns. But as I’ve noted here a coupletimes now, advertisers are working hard to make themselves less visible. The tug-of-war between transparency and obscurity is turning out to be one of the defining stories of this election.

More than 20,000 Google employees and contractors participated in the mass global walkout yesterday to protest the company’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against top executives, according to organizers of the protest who published a Medium post this evening. As of September 30th, 2018, Google had 94,372 full-time and contract employees worldwide, meaning more than 20 percent of the entire company participated in the walkout. The event was sparked by an investigation from The New York Times that revealed how Android co-founder Andy Rubin was paid $90 million upon his exit from the company after it learned of a sexual assault allegation against him.

“We have the eyes of many companies looking at us,” Google employee Tanuja...

Ahead of the US midterm elections next Tuesday, Twitter is hard at work scrubbing its platform of thousands of fake accounts and coordinated activity seemingly designed to influence voter turnout, according to a report from Reuters today. The report says Twitter has removed around 10,000 such accounts targeting Democratic voters and masquerading as party members and officials, and it continues to monitor its platform for similar activity.

Twitter confirmed to The Verge that it has been removing these accounts throughout September and October, but the company did not confirm the 10,000-account figure. The tweets were first brought Twitter’s attention by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DNCC), Reuters reports. The DNCC has...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/twitter-removes-thousands-of-bot-accounts-discouraging-democrats-from-voting-in-the-midterms35837SimeonTwitter removes thousands of bot accounts discouraging Democrats from voting in the midtermsTrump is embracing amoral villainy (and making HBO mad) with a Game of Thrones tweet

Politicians are routinely compared to fictional villains, but Donald Trump is one of only a few to actively court these comparisons. Sometimes this is an ordinary act of reclaiming someone else’s insults, but often, it’s more like a quasi-ironic attempt to appropriate the coolness and machismo of villainy. Trump is the presidential version of 4chan denizens adopting Bane and the Joker as patron saints: some men want to watch the world burn, others salivate at the prospect of beating up protestors. This goes a long way toward explaining why Trump might decide to make a policy announcement by tweeting a Game of Thrones meme.

Earlier today, Trump tweeted a steely looking picture of himself overlaid with HBO’s Game of Thrones font, declaring...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/trump-is-embracing-amoral-villainy-and-making-hbo-mad-with-a-game-of-thrones-tweet35838SimeonTrump is embracing amoral villainy (and making HBO mad) with a Game of Thrones tweetAmazon will soon let you pick which day your package arrives

Amazon launched a new delivery option for Prime members in the US today, just ahead of the holiday gift-giving season. The invite-only program is curiously called Amazon Day, not to be mistaken for Amazon’s yearly Prime Day shopping event, as spotted by CNET.

Through Amazon Day, you can set the day of the week when you prefer all of your shipments to arrive. So far, the program is only open to a small group of users by invite, although Amazon plans to add more users in the coming months. You’ll be able to see if you were invited through the Amazon homepage and see the option in checkout. Amazon told The Verge in a statement, “Amazon is always innovating and looking for new ways to surprise and delight our customers, and we’re excited to...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-will-soon-let-you-pick-which-day-your-package-arrives35833SimeonAmazon will soon let you pick which day your package arrivesHere are all of the new Overwatch Lego sets

Blizzard and Lego showed off the first Overwatch Lego set last month in the form of a limited-edition Bastion figure, and now at BlizzCon the two companies are taking the wraps off the rest of the lineup.

There are a total of six sets coming from the two companies: a $14.99 Tracer vs. Widowmaker set, a $19.99 Hanzo vs. Genji set, a $29.99 Dorado Showdown set, a $39.99 D.Va & Reinhardt set, an even bigger $49.99 Bastion model (which fixes the first version by adding a conversion to turret mode), and an $89.99 Watchpoint: Gibraltar set. The first wave of sets will feature Lego versions of Tracer, Widowmaker, Hanzo, Genji, Soldier: 76, McCree, D.Va, Reinhardt, Pharah, Mercy, Reaper, and Winston to start, but if Lego’s other licensed lines...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/here-are-all-of-the-new-overwatch-lego-sets35834SimeonHere are all of the new Overwatch Lego setsGee, how did women make music before this awful makeup kit-shaped audio interface?

Taiwanese audio gear company MidiPlus has announced a new product called Mirror that is incomparably sexist. It’s an audio interface that’s designed to look like an eyeshadow palette, including a light-up mirror. The website says it’s “specially designed for females,” since women can only be tricked into using gear when being tantalized by pretty, shiny objects. We’re like crows, really.

People have been pinging me about this product since last night, and to be frank, I’m writing about it partially so I stop getting pinged. An audio interface designed like an eyeshadow kit is practically parody. It reminds me of when Spinnin’ Records got in trouble in 2013 for tweeting a CDJ that looks like a stove, saying, “Thanks @PioneerDJ for finally...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/gee-how-did-women-make-music-before-this-awful-makeup-kit-shaped-audio-interface35824SimeonGee, how did women make music before this awful makeup kit-shaped audio interface?BlizzCon 2018: the biggest news from Blizzard’s annual showcase

]]>https://techfishnews.com/blizzcon-2018-the-biggest-news-from-blizzards-annual-showcase35825SimeonBlizzCon 2018: the biggest news from Blizzard’s annual showcaseBumble is slowly backing off on its $400 million lawsuit against Match Group

Bumble is looking to drop its $400 million countersuit against Tinder’s parent company — Match Group — nearly a month after it officially filed the case, according to documents filed in a Texas court last month. Yesterday, Match filed a notice of non-opposition, essentially saying that it’s okay with Bumble dropping its claims so long as the court issues declaratory judgments absolving Match from allegedly stealing Bumble’s trade secrets. Match is also hoping the court will issue declaratory judgments validating its patents and Bumble’s alleged infringement of them, which are involved in its original lawsuit from March. Both companies seem okay backing away from this case for now, but Match seems to want to get some absolution out of...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/bumble-is-slowly-backing-off-on-its-400-million-lawsuit-against-match-group35826SimeonBumble is slowly backing off on its $400 million lawsuit against Match GroupApple starts selling refurbished iPhone 8 and 8 Plus phones starting at $499

Apple’s online store has started selling refurbished iPhone 8 and 8 Plus devices, via 9to5Toys. There are space gray, silver, and gold devices in the 64GB variant. Prices start at $499 for the iPhone 8 and $599 for the iPhone 8 Plus.

A brand-new iPhone 8 currently costs $599, so a refurbished iPhone 8 will save you $100. It’s a pretty good deal, considering Apple’s refurbished products are pretty much as good as new, and they come tested and certified. The device also comes with a brand-new battery, a one-year warranty, and original accessories as they would come in the box.

Blizzard’s beautiful cinematics have long caught people’s attention when they debut at BlizzCon, the publisher’s annual convention, and this year’s shorts stole the show once again.

World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm, and Overwatch all received their own cinematic shorts, teasing new players, worlds, and experiences for fans of the franchises. Overwatch’s latest short focused on McCree, the game’s popular, roughneck cowboy character. (It’s an appropriate choice considering Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2, arguably the biggest game of 2018, came out last week.) Blizzard also debuted the trailer and cinematic short for its first full-fledged mobile Diablo game called Diablo: Immortal.

Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk disclosed in a regulatory filing Friday that the Securities and Exchange commission has subpoenaed Tesla about Musk’s many projections for Model 3 production, signaling that the investigation — which first came to light in August — is ramping up.

It’s the third open investigation to intensify in recent weeks.Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Federal Bureau of Investigation’s probe for any potential criminal activity surrounding Model 3 production goals has amplified. And Tesla confirmed in Friday’s filing that, in a separate Department of Justice investigation into Musk’s abandoned attempt to take the company private, the company has been asked “to voluntarily provide [the DOJ] with...

Blizzard is bringing Diablo to mobile devices, the company announced today during BlizzCon 2018. The game’s creators promised a “full-fledged action RPG” called Diablo Immortal. Diablo Immortal picks up after Diablo II: Lord of Destruction and will launch for iOS and Android.

The mobile RPG is a massively multiplayer online action game; players will be able to drop in and out of groups and play through “dynamic events” as they travel through Sanctuary. Classes include monk, wizard, crusader, demon hunter, necromancer, and barbarian. Blizzard is currently allowing players to pre-register for a chance to join the game’s upcoming beta.

Blizzard has been quiet as of late about the future of Diablo, though job listings discovered earlier...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/diablo-is-getting-a-full-fledged-mobile-rpg35816SimeonDiablo is getting a ‘full-fledged’ mobile RPGOverwatch gets a McCree animated short and new character called Ashe

At BlizzCon in Anaheim today, Blizzard revealed the latest of its Overwatch animated shorts called “Reunion.” It delves into the backstory of McCree, everyone’s favorite gunslinger, as he goes up against a gang of outlaws led by a new character named Ashe who also happens to be the next hero being added to the game. She’s a damage-dealing hero who has an excellent robotic helper named Bob as her ultimate ability, though there’s no word yet on when she’ll be added to the game. You can read more about here on Overwatch’s site.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/overwatch-gets-a-mccree-animated-short-and-new-character-called-ashe35817SimeonOverwatch gets a McCree animated short and new character called AsheUber seeks permission to resume self-driving car testing on public roads

Uber is seeking permission from the state of Pennsylvania to resume testing its self-driving cars on public roads more than seven months after a fatal crash in Tempe, Arizona.

The ride-hailing company released its voluntary safety report to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Friday, becoming the sixth company to do so. In it, Uber commits to resuming testing with two employees in each autonomous vehicle, enabling automatic braking, and strictly monitoring safety drivers. The company said it now has real-time third-party monitoring of backup safety drivers, sets limits on the amount of time drivers can work per day, and has improved training.

“We are now able to detect objects and actors sooner and execute safe...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/uber-seeks-permission-to-resume-self-driving-car-testing-on-public-roads35818SimeonUber seeks permission to resume self-driving car testing on public roadsTencent made smart glasses that look like Snap Spectacles

Tencent, China’s biggest tech company, has made its own pair of video-recording sunglasses this week that bear a slight resemblance to Snap’s Spectacles. The Weishi smart glasses have a camera on the front, like Spectacles, so you can record video.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tencent-made-smart-glasses-that-look-like-snap-spectacles35819SimeonTencent made smart glasses that look like Snap SpectaclesDestiny 2 is free on PC for a limited time

Activision is celebrating the PC release of Destiny 2by offering the game free for a limited time, game director Steve Cotton announced today.

Cotton made the announcement during Blizzard’s pre-show at this year’s BlizzCon festival. Those who download the game between today and November 18th will be able to keep it forever. All you have to do is claim it. The free version of Destiny 2 will also come with a free gift that players will be able to grab, too. All you need to download the game is a Battle.Net account.

Players will be able to download the base version of this game, giving them the original eight-hour campaign and a level of 20. Players will also have access to the original Leviathan raid, and the Crucible multiplayer mode....

]]>https://techfishnews.com/destiny-2-is-free-on-pc-for-a-limited-time35802SimeonDestiny 2 is free on PC for a limited timeAT&T and Dish’s HBO battle is the bleak future of cable and streaming

Yesterday, Dish customers lost access to HBO due to an ongoing licensing dispute between the premium cable channel and the TV distributor. It marks the first time in HBO’s 40-plus-year history that it’s gone dark. This sort of thing seems to happen every once in a while in the cable industry, but it also might be the first indication of the closed-off cable nightmare that could be in our future as companies like Comcast, AT&T, and Disney take control of ever-larger chunks of the media landscape.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/att-and-dishs-hbo-battle-is-the-bleak-future-of-cable-and-streaming35803SimeonAT&T and Dish’s HBO battle is the bleak future of cable and streamingCadillac’s $1,800 a month car subscription service is shutting down — for now

General Motors is canceling its $1,800 a month Cadillac car subscription service and is shutting down by the end of the year, reports The Wall Street Journal. The Book by Cadillac service debuted early last year and follows a similar subscription model to Rent The Runway, which allows customers to drive different Cadillac models each month for the $1,800 price tag.

Speaking to The Verge, Cadillac confirmed that the service was ending next month, but could make a comeback in the future. Its full statement is below:

Following nearly two years of service, Cadillac will temporarily pause the BOOK by Cadillac program effective December 1, 2018. BOOK by Cadillac launched as a pilot program, providing the brand with valuable insights and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/cadillacs-1800-a-month-car-subscription-service-is-shutting-down-for-now35804SimeonCadillac’s $1,800 a month car subscription service is shutting down — for nowGM is now making e-bikes, and it needs your help naming them

General Motors unveiled two new electric vehicles Friday, but not the kind you would expect from the nation’s largest automaker. Two new electric bikes — one foldable, the other compact — are introduced as part of a broader effort by GM to promote its plans for an electric future.

GM isn’t saying much about the bikes themselves, staying silent on key specs like size, weight, range, and price. The company is seeking input from consumers to help name the e-bikes, offering $10,000 for the top submission in a crowdsourcing campaign, and $1,000 each to nine runners-up. Once it settles on a name, GM will say more about how much and where the bikes can be purchased.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/gm-is-now-making-e-bikes-and-it-needs-your-help-naming-them35796SimeonGM is now making e-bikes, and it needs your help naming them23andMe’s genetic test for how you’ll react to medication is ahead of its time

On Wednesday, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first consumer DNA test that promises to tell buyers which drugs might work best for them according to their genetic profile. The manufacturer, 23andMe, won FDA approval by being very careful not to overpromise what its test can do— so careful that the approval highlights the limited usefulness of the test and how much we still don’t know about this field of medicine.

The test is related to a segment of medicine called pharmacogenetics, which is the study of how genes influence how we react to drugs. Variations in our genes can affect how quickly we break down a drug, how much we absorb, or how efficiently it gets to where it needs to be in the body.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/23andmes-genetic-test-for-how-youll-react-to-medication-is-ahead-of-its-time35790Simeon23andMe’s genetic test for how you’ll react to medication is ahead of its timeVince Staples makes another dope video, this time in Google Maps

Rapper Vince Staples released his latest album FM! today, and it’s chock-full of certified slappers. The music video to “FUN!,” one of FM!’s singles, takes place entirely in Google Maps. (Realistically, it’s in a UI that looks like Google Maps, but whatever.) In the video, Staples gives us a Street View tour of the neighborhood he grew up in and still raps about: the Ramona Park area of Long Beach, California.

The video opens by zooming in on our Google Earth-sized planet, and it plops us — with Google Maps’ little yellow man — onto a nondescript street in “Norfy, California.” There, we see Staples pose in front of groups of kids dancing, clean his sneakers with a toothbrush and bleach, stumble across a robbery in progress, walk by a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/vince-staples-makes-another-dope-video-this-time-in-google-maps35791SimeonVince Staples makes another dope video, this time in Google Maps20th Century Fox is using AI to analyze movie trailers and find out what films audiences will like

Machine learning is, at heart, the art of finding patterns in data. That’s why businesses love it. Patterns help predict the future, and predicting the future is a great way to make money. It’s sometimes unclear how these things fit together, but here’s a perfect example from film studio 20th Century Fox, which is using AI to predict what films people will want to see.

Researchers from the company published a paper last month explaining how they’re analyzing the content of movie trailers using machine learning. Machine vision systems examine trailer footage frame by frame, labeling objects and events, and then compare this to data generated for other trailers. The idea is that movies with similar sets of labels will attract similar sets...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/20th-century-fox-is-using-ai-to-analyze-movie-trailers-and-find-out-what-films-audiences-will-like35792Simeon20th Century Fox is using AI to analyze movie trailers and find out what films audiences will likeOne new message

Welcome to Fav’d For Later, a Friday roundup of our favorite memes, trends, and all-around good internet content. This week, we mourn the passing of Halloween. I know it’s November! I don’t care.

On most days, I’d agree with you that the internet ruins most things, but Halloween turns me into a dead-eyed devotee. Dressing up and eating free candy as a kid was cool and all, but as an adult, I love logging on to Twitter and Instagram to see what memes my friends have turned into clever costumes.

Now, I’m not saying this Slack costume is The Best thing I saw on Twitter this week, but it might just be the scariest. There’s nothing I love more than an extremely online costume.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/one-new-message35778SimeonOne new messageFor the real Bohemian Rhapsody, stream the best recorded Queen concert this weekend

There are so many streaming options available these days, and so many conflicting recommendations, that it’s hard to see through all the crap you could be watching. Each Friday, The Verge’s Cut the Crap column simplifies the choice by sorting through the overwhelming multitude of movies and TV shows on subscription services and recommending a single perfect thing to watch this weekend.

What to watch

Queen’s 1986 Live at Wembley Stadium concert film. The band’s “Magic Tour,” which ran from June 7th to August 9th, 1986, marked the last time singer Freddie Mercury would perform onstage with guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon, and drummer Roger Taylor. On July 12th, the band entertained more than 100,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/for-the-real-bohemian-rhapsody-stream-the-best-recorded-queen-concert-this-weekend35779SimeonFor the real Bohemian Rhapsody, stream the best recorded Queen concert this weekendAlexa will notify you when your favorite artist releases a new album

Music connoisseurs can now ask Alexa to track their favorite artists and set up a voice alert for when new songs or albums debut.

Amazon Music’s New Release Notifications will use Alexa to alert Amazon Music subscribers to new releases, according to a press release. A yellow ring will appear on Echo devices when a new song is released, and notifications will also be sent via Amazon Music iOS and Android apps. Users will have the option to listen to a new track or album immediately once the notification is sent out.

“Alexa, let me know when this artist has a new album.”

The new voice tool will also help Amazon Music subscribers discover new artists without needing to know the name of a particular musician or band. If a song comes on a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/alexa-will-notify-you-when-your-favorite-artist-releases-a-new-album35780SimeonAlexa will notify you when your favorite artist releases a new albumReaction to TikTok’s Overwatch meme misses the original video’s intention

Last year, a cute song about Overwatch called “No Mercy”was published on YouTube, racking up more than 34 million views. It’s catchy and charming, but it also addresses some of the stigmas associated with playing support characters in a game like Overwatch. The original song and video’s goal was to usher in a wave of positivity within the Overwatch community to showcase that men shouldn’t automatically assume women will play support roles. But reaction to a new TikTok meme does the complete opposite.

TikTok is one of the fastest-growing apps in the world. It allows users (mostly teens and young adults) to perform karaoke, bust out complex choreography, try their hand at comedy, or show off their cosplay skills. The app’s editing suite...

Spotify is now testing an official Apple Watch app. Beta testers of the Spotify iOS app have started gaining access to the app, and the first version appears to be limited to just controlling playback for now. It’s not clear if Spotify plans to add the much-needed offline support so Premium subscribers can sync songs to an Apple Watch and use it without an iPhone nearby.

Still, a Spotify Apple Watch app is long overdue. Spotify has been working closely with the developer of the unofficial Snowy app that brought offline Spotify playback to the Apple Watch. Snowy developer Andrew Chang revealed last year that Spotify had hired him to create a companion app using the company’s iOS SDK. This is now the first sign of that app emerging.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/spotify-starts-testing-its-apple-watch-app35769SimeonSpotify starts testing its Apple Watch appBlizzard’s Overwatch League is making big changes with player wellness in mind

Back in May, Vytis Lasaitis, head coach of the Overwatch League’s Florida Mayhem, took a temporary break from his duties, citing his personal well-being. “OWL is a frantic marathon,” he wrote. “While it’s mostly an exhilarating journey, it also pushes all competitors to the limit and brings a heavy burden. Figuratively speaking, I’ve had to wear a lot of different hats since the regular season began, and it has now caught up to me. I’ve been experiencing burnout and various health issues since stage two, but it’s something I chose to neglect for a long time.”

Lasaitis wasn’t the only one. Other players and teams suffered from the league’s demanding 40-match schedule, which saw clubs play two games every week with little room for...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/blizzards-overwatch-league-is-making-big-changes-with-player-wellness-in-mind35770SimeonBlizzard’s Overwatch League is making big changes with player wellness in mindSnapchat will display polling locations in its Snap Map on Election Day

In preparation for the US midterm elections on November 6th, Snapchat is now adding election-themed lenses and filters that will guide voters to their polling locations through its Snap Map on Election Day. According to Engadget, the filters will dress up your Bitmoji in a special costume on your Snap Map.

The feature is part of Snapchat’s continued effort to encourage young voters to go to the polls. In September, the app displayed a link to a voter registration page on the profile of every user over 18, resulting in over 400,000 users registering to vote in two weeks.

Image: Snapchat

Snap has partnered with Get to the Polls to help users find their voting locations, and it will send a snap to all users over 18 on...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/snapchat-will-display-polling-locations-in-its-snap-map-on-election-day35771SimeonSnapchat will display polling locations in its Snap Map on Election DayPrivate messages from 81,000 hacked Facebook accounts were for sale

The contents of hacked private messages from at least 81,000 Facebook accounts were being sold online this fall, according to the BBC.

The breach was first discovered in September after one of the hackers advertised the stolen data on a forum. The message details were obtained after users downloaded a malicious browser extension that then scraped the information from their accounts. The hackers then sold access to the information for 10 cents per account. The group told BBC that their “database includes 120 million accounts,” but that number could not be confirmed by outside cybersecurity experts.

Aside from the added cellular connectivity, everything else about the Chromebook Plus is identical to the June refresh: a 12.2-inch 1080p display, an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, and an included, built-in pen.

The Samsung Chromebook Plus (LTE) goes on sale today for $599.99 at Best Buy, Samsung’s website, and Verizon — $100 more than the non-LTE model.

Additionally, Samsung also announced pricing and availability for the a...

Last Friday, when Tesla updated its pricing on the Model 3 Performance to include the Performance Upgrades Package for free, some Tesla owners were miffed. They’d previously paid $5,000 for a feature that was now… free. “In hindsight, it looks like Tesla solely created that $5,000 package to upcharge early buyers knowing that there will be plenty of demand for the vehicle at the launch due to the reservation holders waiting for the performance version,” Fred Lambert wrote on Electrek.

Lambert is among those who’d paid $5,000 for the package, and he was pissed. “This is a shitty thing to do to a bunch of people...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/tesla-is-what-happens-when-you-run-a-car-company-like-a-tech-company35774SimeonTesla is what happens when you run a car company like a tech companySony A8F TV review: high-end headachesMo money, mo problems

]]>https://techfishnews.com/sony-a8f-tv-review-high-end-headaches35759SimeonSony A8F TV review: high-end headachesWith Diablo III and Dark Souls for Switch, you never have to leave the dungeon

It’s a great week to be a Nintendo Switch owner with a penchant for exploring fantasy dungeons, taking on terrifying monsters, and collecting powerful loot. Two of the biggest action role-playing series in the world — Dark Souls and Diablo — have just made their Nintendo debut. And it turns out that their respective blends of monster bashing are even more appealing when you can take the dungeons with you.

Diablo III came out for PC in 2012 and has since become one of the best-selling video games of all time, despite a tumultuous launch that saw Blizzard roll back several aspects of its design and further overhaul the game with console versions and a major expansion pack. (I recommend reading this dramatic chapter on its development from...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/with-diablo-iii-and-dark-souls-for-switch-you-never-have-to-leave-the-dungeon35760SimeonWith Diablo III and Dark Souls for Switch, you never have to leave the dungeonChina is making the internet less free, and US tech companies are helping

China’s restrictive internet policies are being actively exported around the world, according to a new report by nonprofit organization Freedom House published yesterday. Freedom House, a bipartisan think tank funded primarily by the US government, says that China’s “digital authoritarianism” could threaten democracies in other countries.

It’s the fourth year in a row that Freedom House has ranked China at the bottom for internet freedom. But at the same time that China’s internet remains a walled garden, companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google are eagerly eyeing partnerships with Chinese businesses and increased expansion into the country. By not opposing China’s censorship policies directly and continuing to embrace the country, US...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/china-is-making-the-internet-less-free-and-us-tech-companies-are-helping35761SimeonChina is making the internet less free, and US tech companies are helpingWhy Amazon’s future depends on moving from the internet to the physical world

The future of Amazon is starting to look a lot more complicated than just selling products on the internet. One of the company’s cashier-less Go convenience stores opened in San Francisco last week, with another store opening in the city later this year and more planned for Chicago and New York City in 2019. Coupled with Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods last year, these Go stores give us a glimpse into a future hybrid form of retail that Amazon could use to expand from e-commerce into real-world purchases at restaurants, grocery stores, and elsewhere.

Understanding why the company is interested in those sectors, and what its real competitors are, is the key to understanding how we buy everything in the future will change. Amazon CEO...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/why-amazons-future-depends-on-moving-from-the-internet-to-the-physical-world35762SimeonWhy Amazon’s future depends on moving from the internet to the physical worldApple Maps has surpassed Google Maps in detail… in 3.1 percent of the US

iOS 12 began the rollout of Apple Maps’ long-awaited redesign, which will deliver maps with far more detail using data collected by Apple directly. The updated maps currently only cover around 3.1 percent of the USA, focused around Northern California, but already some interesting differences are starting to emerge between Apple’s maps and those that Google uses for its own navigation software. The differences are documented in excruciatingly fine detail in a post by digital cartography bloggerJustin O’Beirne.

The good news for Apple is that the sheer amount of natural cartographical detail its map contains far outstrips what Google currently offers. Vegetation detail is a particular highlight, with Apple’s maps even showing grass...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-maps-has-surpassed-google-maps-in-detail-in-31-percent-of-the-us35763Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uEs9rk08vMln3XAUdAT45EWzsX0=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62162883/akrales_180620_1777_0156.0.jpgApple Maps has surpassed Google Maps in detail… in 3.1 percent of the USSamsung reportedly opening up Bixby to third-party skills

One of the biggest questions surrounding Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Home speaker — aside from the price and release date — has been whether or not the company will be letting other developers build their own integrations for Bixby or not. But we may not have to wait much longer to find out, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that Samsung will be showing off new, third-party “capsules” for its smart assistant at the upcoming Samsung Developer Conference next week.

Bixby is getting smarter

Bixby capsules sound like they’ll work a lot like Alexa Skills or Google Assistant Actions — additional functions that third-party developers can add to Samsung’s smart assistant for their own services, letting users say, order a pizza or summon an...

But there is more than that! For our “This week in Elon Musk” segment of the show, Liz Lopatto interviews Kara Swisher of Recode Decode about her interview with Elon Musk this week, and brings some clips from it to share. You can listen to the full interview here.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/phone-numbers-should-be-more-portable-and-palm-is-the-proof35753SimeonPhone numbers should be more portable, and Palm is the proof Elon Musk doesn’t care if people buy his ‘Blade Runner pickup truck’

Elon Musk has given more details about Tesla’s upcoming pickup truck in a recent interview with Recode. The Tesla CEO noted that he wants it to be a “futuristic-like cyberpunk, Blade Runner pickup truck” and that he doesn’t care if many people want to buy it.

Musk has been open about his desire for Tesla to produce a pickup truck for some time now. Last year he announced plans for the truck at the Tesla Semi event, and later said that he expected it to be the next vehicle the company produces after the upcoming Model Y SUV. During an earnings call in August he said that the pickup was his “personal favorite” of the car maker’s upcoming vehicles.

Companies are not democracies. But companies born in democracies sometimes display their values, as when social networks give their users cite the First Amendment in drafting their policies around content moderation.

The act of protest is not not limited to democracies, of course. And yet there was something wonderfully democratic about today’s Google walkout, in which thousands of Googlers left their desks to demonstrate against their leadership’s problems with swiftly separating sexual harassers from the company. A large group of loosely connected people, moved to common action, came together to seek redress for their grievances.

Samsung’s mobile phone sales have been taking a hit this year. It’s a downward trend that started during last year’s holiday quarter and has persisted throughout 2018. Both IDC and Strategy Analytics report that Samsung’s smartphone sales have dipped around 13 percent in the recent quarter. That follows a 10 percent decline in Q2, a 2 percent drop in Q1, and a 4 percent dip in Q4 2017. It’s a clear sign that Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy S9 devices haven’t been competitive at the high-end, and Samsung is now losing ground in the mid- and low-end parts of the smartphone market.

Huawei, Samsung’s main Chinese rival, has soared this year. Huawei’s smartphone shipments are up around 32 percent this quarter, and the company has once...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/samsung-is-losing-mobile-ground-to-its-chinese-rivals35733SimeonSamsung is losing mobile ground to its Chinese rivalsAmazon to open up second 4-star store in Colorado

Amazon’s 4-star store wasn’t just a one-off shtick. The e-commerce giant is going to continue opening up brick-and-mortar stores dedicated to its most popular online products just like the current one in Manhattan, but this time in Colorado. On Thursday, a midwestern location will be opening up in Lone Tree, Colorado — only a few miles away from Denver. The company has plans for its first West Coast store to open up in Berkeley, California in the next few months as well.

As the name implies, the 4-star stores sell products that are rated at least four stars or higher online. You can buy basically any kind of product you would find online, whether that be tech, children’s toys, or cookware. Special discounts are extended to Prime members...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/amazon-to-open-up-second-4-star-store-in-colorado35716SimeonAmazon to open up second 4-star store in ColoradoApple will no longer reveal how many iPhones, iPads, and Macs it sells

During its Q4 earnings call, Apple’s chief financial officer Luca Maestri announced that the company will no longer report unit sales of its main hardware divisions, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This is the same as protocols Apple already follows for its smaller devices, such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, and HomePod, which are bundled under the “Other Products” category.

“A unit of sale is less relevant today than it was in our past”

The announcement comes after iPhone unit sales percentage was unchanged year over year, despite a revenue bump of 29 percent. The decision to stop disclosing unit sales is because that figure is “not representative of underlying strength of our business,” Maestri said. “A unit of sale is less relevant...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-will-no-longer-reveal-how-many-iphones-ipads-and-macs-it-sells35708SimeonApple will no longer reveal how many iPhones, iPads, and Macs it sellsNASA’s Dawn spacecraft is dead

While people on Earth celebrated Halloween, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft quietly gave up the ghost.

The spacecraft, which explored two of the largest objects in the asteroid belt missed its last two check-ins, one on October 31st and another on November 1st. Without a signal from the spacecraft, NASA engineers concluded that Dawn had finally run out of fuel, officially ending its mission.

NASA’s Dawn spacecraft quietly gave up the ghost

The people working on the project knew this day was coming. In June they put it into its closest orbit yet around the dwarf planet Ceres, knowing that it only had a few months of fuel left. Though it was anticipated, the end of the mission was still emotional.

Despite a zero percent change in iPhone unit sales year over year, Apple ended its fiscal fourth quarter with a 29 percent revenue increase in its smartphone division. It also met its overall revenue target of $62.9 billion — up from $52.5 billion this quarter last year. Both sales and profit exceeded Wall Street expectations for the quarter.

Apple’s Q4 quarter ended in September, meaning it only accounted for the first few weeks of the new iPhone XS and XS Max going on sale. (The iPhone XR, which was also announced in September, did not become available for preorder until October.) Despite the slow sales growth, the average selling price per iPhone is now $793, up from $724 in Q3.

Currant, a startup dedicated to making smart home devices that reduce energy consumption, has announced its first AI-driven product, as spotted by VentureBeat. It’s called the Currant Smart Outlet, and it sports two individually controlled outlets and can be rotated when plugged in to keep cords tidy. The company says its outlet has the highest safety ratings of any smart outlet on the market.

The gadget works with a companion app that tracks real-time electricity usage and displays graphs to show where energy is being consumed and how much it’s costing you. Through the app, you can also remotely monitor and control each outlet and connect it to Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices to enable voice control. Outlet-specific rules can be...

Target, along with pretty much every other retailer in the US, will ring in Black Friday (November 23rd) by offering deep discounts on something for everyone. The brunt of its deals will kick off on Thursday, November 22nd at 5PM when stores will first open doors for Black Friday shoppers. It will then close its doors at 1AM on Friday, only to re-open at 7AM for early risers.

While you wait, Target is getting things started early this year with a few of its early access deals. You can find those linked below, along with a peek at what else will be on sale during the Black Friday weekend.

We’ll be adding and removing deals to this page in order to reflect what’s currently available, and what’s been confirmed to come later in November.

A state-owned Chinese company was charged by the Justice Department on Thursday for stealing trade secrets from an American chip manufacturer. It’s the fourth instance in which the Department has indicted Chinese conspirators for attempting to steal trade secrets in the past month, and with this momentum, the Department is announcing a new initiative to combat economic espionage from the country.

In its indictment, the Department claims that China’s Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co. and Taiwan’s United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) worked to steal trade secrets from a US chipmaker, Micron Technologies.

Micron is an Idaho-based chipmaker that, according to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is worth over $100 billion and owns 20–25 percent...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/netflixs-orson-welles-revival-is-strange-fascinating-and-frustrating35693SimeonNetflix’s Orson Welles revival is strange, fascinating, and frustratingYou can now share IGTV videos to your Instagram Story

Instagram announced a new feature today that lets you share IGTV videos to your Instagram Story. Tapping the paper airplane icon will open up an option to ‘Add video to your story,’ and your friends can tap the preview to go watch the entire video in IGTV.

Until now, its only been possible to add a link to an IGTV video on business accounts, which allowed users to swipe up and be taken to watch the full IGTV video. The new feature allows for users to share a preview of any IGTV video in their stories, similar to the feature that lets users instantly repost stories they’re mentioned in.

Now you can share your favorite IGTV videos to your story. Tap the paper airplane at the bottom of the video you want to share. When friends see your...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/you-can-now-share-igtv-videos-to-your-instagram-story35683SimeonYou can now share IGTV videos to your Instagram StoryApple is reportedly considering investing in iHeartRadio

iHeartMedia, the largest radio company in the US, is exploring investments with several companies, including Apple, in advance of filing a reorganization plan with bankruptcy court, the Financial Times reports. The company has $20 billion in debt and filed for bankruptcy protection in March.

Sources tell Financial Times that Apple is one of several investors that have been considered, and iHeartMedia is looking for an equity stake worth tens of millions of dollars. An alternate source suggested that deal could look like a marketing partnership rather than a direct cash infusion into the company.

This could bring Apple Music’s Beats 1 to broadcast radio

If a deal were to come to fruition between Apple and iHeartRadio, Financial Times...

Hundreds of Google employees gathered in a New York park today to protest their employer’s handling of sexual harassment, part of a worldwide protest that included events in Dublin, London, Tokyo, Berlin, and several other cities. The employees are demanding that Google create a more transparent and effective process for handling sexual misconduct — and that it improve a culture that has allegedly fostered harassment and assault.

The mass walkout followed an explosive report that Android co-founder Andy Rubin was given a $90 million severance package after allegedly sexually assaulting a fellow employee. “This walkout is the culmination of a fast, furious week and the work of more than 1,000 people,” said Claire Stapleton, one of the...

Roscosmos just released new information from the investigation, which concluded this week. Russian news agency TASS reports that investigators found that a sensor — which monitors the separation of the boosters from the rocket — was deformed, bent by about six degrees. Six degrees isn’t a lot, but it was enough to keep the lid...

Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and more than 50 other companies issued a joint letter today opposing President Trump’s possible rollback of rights and protections for transgender people under federal law.

The companies jointly say that they “oppose any administrative and legislative efforts to erase transgender protections through reinterpretation of existing laws and regulations,” as well as “any policy or regulation” that violates privacy rights of anyone who identifies as trans, non-binary, or intersex.

“We, the undersigned businesses, stand with the millions of people in America who identify as transgender, gender non-binary, or intersex, and call for all such people to be treated with the respect and dignity everyone...

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) released an early draft of legislation today that would create substantially stiffer guidelines for the misuse of consumers’ data. Among other provisions, the bill suggests creating a penalty of 10 to 20 years imprisonment for senior executives who fail to follow new rules around data use.

The tech industry has faced enormous scrutiny over the past two years, as companies like Facebook and Google have been roiled by scandals, including Cambridge Analytica’s use of Facebook data. Lawmakers have suggested possible new standards around the use of data, but so far, no major federal legislation has been passed. Still, Wyden suggested in an interview with The Vergethis year that a bill was forthcoming.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/sen-ron-wyden-proposes-bill-that-could-jail-executives-who-mishandle-consumer-data35675SimeonSen. Ron Wyden proposes bill that could jail executives who mishandle consumer dataApple will reportedly launch a pilot program to repair devices as old as the iPhone 4S

Apple is reportedly preparing a “Repair Vintage Apple Products Pilot” program for a number of devices that were previously too old to repair, according to 9to5Mac. Although Apple reserves the right to refuse to repair a device if it doesn’t have the parts in stock, the pilot program will eventually mean that devices as old as 2011’s iPhone 4S or a MacBook Pro from mid-2012 will be eligible for repair by Apple and its authorized service providers. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/apple-will-reportedly-launch-a-pilot-program-to-repair-devices-as-old-as-the-iphone-4s35676SimeonApple will reportedly launch a pilot program to repair devices as old as the iPhone 4SMophie releases its first iPhone X battery case a month after the phone was discontinued

It’s been almost exactly a year since Apple released the iPhone X, and today, Mophie is finally releasing its first battery pack case for Apple’s former (now no longer sold) flagship called the Juice Pack Air, via MacRumors.

The Juice Pack Air is only compatible with the iPhone X — sorry, new XS owners — and it offers an additional 1,720mAh battery that Mophie says will extend your battery life for a total 30 hours. While a regular battery case would be too thick to allow for wireless charging, the Juice Pack Air is capable of wirelessly charging. That means you’ll be able to drop it on any Qi pad and recharge both your phone and the case without ever having to fiddle with cables or constantly put your phone in and out of the case.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/mophie-releases-its-first-iphone-x-battery-case-a-month-after-the-phone-was-discontinued35677SimeonMophie releases its first iPhone X battery case a month after the phone was discontinuedGallium nitride is the silicon of the future

Last week, Anker debuted a tiny new power brick, crediting its small size with the component it uses instead of silicon: gallium nitride (GaN). It’s the latest example of the growing popularity of this transparent, glass-like material that could one day unseat silicon and cut energy use worldwide.

For decades now, silicon has been the backbone of the technology industry, but we are “reaching a theoretical limit on how much it can be improved,” says Danqing Wang, a doctoral candidate at Harvard University who conducts GaN research. All materials have a “band gap,” which is related to how well they can conduct electricity. GaN has a wider band gap than silicon, which means it can sustain higher voltages than silicon can survive, and the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/gallium-nitride-is-the-silicon-of-the-future35678SimeonGallium nitride is the silicon of the futureYouTube’s head of music warns that EU’s Article 13 is detrimental to remixes, fan videos

“Let me be clear: we understand and support the intent of Article 13. We need effective ways for copyright holders to protect their content,” Cohen wrote. “But we believe that the current proposal will create severe unintended consequences for the whole industry. We still have a couple of weeks to work together towards a better final version of the law. The music industry should really pay attention to these unintended consequences - the system that largely contributes to their success is at risk of major change in...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/youtubes-head-of-music-warns-that-eus-article-13-is-detrimental-to-remixes-fan-videos35667SimeonYouTube’s head of music warns that EU’s Article 13 is detrimental to remixes, fan videos11 new sci-fi and fantasy books to check out this November

There’s always been a bit of a crossover in audiences between gamers and science fiction fans. Journalists have spilled a lot of ink over the years writing about the rise in popularity of games like Settlers of Catan, Terraforming Mars, and Pandemic. I recently picked up It’sAll a Game: The History of Board Games from Monopoly to Settlers of Catan by Tristan Donovan. It’s an interesting read that explores the origins of everything from chess and backgammon to modern favorites like Monopoly and Mousetrap.

What struck me while reading it is how the origins of so many games stem from someone being bored (as in the case of Clue) or being laid off from work (Scrabble), so they set about tinkering and end up with a game that later explodes...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/11-new-sci-fi-and-fantasy-books-to-check-out-this-november35655Simeon11 new sci-fi and fantasy books to check out this November Red Dead Redemption 2 players find cursed road that always sets horses on fire

Today in nightmare fuel: in Red Dead Redemption 2, there’s a specific patch of land that has invisible fire on it. The AI characters have no idea it’s there, and therefore, they have no reason to try to avoid this contaminated road. This means that players everywhere are leading their horses to a fiery, horrifying death, thanks to a bizarre glitch.

Since the game’s release last week, strange clips of horses spontaneously catching fire have been floating around on social media. At the time, fans chalked it up to typical open-world shenanigans: when a game is this large, there’s no telling what can go wrong. Recently, however, players deduced that the glitch tends to happen at the same place. Specifically, the invisible fire is located on...

EVGA’s GeForce GTX 1070 Ti is $150 off at B&H Photo. Normally priced at $499 (though you can commonly find it for around $449), this graphics card is now available for $349. If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines for GPU prices to plummet, this is the best deal that we’ve seen for this particular card.

To offer some perspective on this price: EVGA sells this GPU refurbished through its own site, and it still costs $50 more than this brand new-card from B&H Photo. Better yet, it’s part of Nvidia’s new promotion that bundles Monster Hunter: World with the purchase.

In terms of its power, the GTX 1070 Ti is positioned to offer up high frame rates for those who game in 2K resolution and below. The GTX 1080 and, obviously, Nvidia’s new RTX...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-evga-geforce-gtx-1070-ti-is-150-off-at-bh-photo35657SimeonThe EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti is $150 off at B&H PhotoFlickr will end 1TB of free storage and limit free users to 1,000 photos

Flickr was purchased in April by professional photo hosting service SmugMug, and today, the first major changes under the new ownership have been announced. There’s a serious downgrade for free users, who are now limited to 1,000 pictures on the photo sharing site, instead of the free 1TB of storage that was previously offered.

As Flickr explains in its press release announcing the change, “Unfortunately, ‘free’ services are seldom actually free for users. Users pay with their data or with their time. We would rather the arrangement be transparent.” It makes a certain amount of sense — servers aren’t free, after all — but for free users with more than 1,000 photos, it’s not ideal news.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/flickr-will-end-1tb-of-free-storage-and-limit-free-users-to-1000-photos35658SimeonFlickr will end 1TB of free storage and limit free users to 1,000 photosHow teaching AI to be curious helps machines learn for themselves

]]>https://techfishnews.com/how-teaching-ai-to-be-curious-helps-machines-learn-for-themselves35659SimeonHow teaching AI to be curious helps machines learn for themselvesYou can now share songs you Shazam directly to Instagram Stories

Even more apps are being integrated into Instagram. Today, Shazam announced a new feature that allows users to identify songs and then immediately post the results to their Instagram Stories.

In order to do this, Shazam any song, and then tap the share button. Instagram should pop up as an option if you’re using the newest version of both apps. This prompts the cover art to be posted to your Instagram story along with a button that says “More on Shazam,” which links back to the song page in the Shazam app.

Shazam says the feature will be rolling out today to iOS users with the latest versions of Shazam and Instagram installed. It will be available on Android soon, although no exact date is given. Apple completed its acquisition of Shazam...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/you-can-now-share-songs-you-shazam-directly-to-instagram-stories35660SimeonYou can now share songs you Shazam directly to Instagram StoriesYou can unzip this tiny image on Twitter to reveal the complete works of Shakespeare

Shakespeare was a prolific playwright, penning more than 37 plays and 154 sonnets throughout his entire career. Now, his life’s work has been compiled into a tiny image on Twitter by computer science researcher David Buchanan. When unzipped, the image opens up more ZIP and RAR files to reveal an HTML browser with Project Gutenberg’s The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, specifically, this 6.7MB page.

Buchanan explained to Motherboard that the trick came to him while he was testing how much raw data he could cram into a tweet. “I wrote a script which parses a JPG file and inserts a big blob of ICC metadata,” he said. “The metadata is carefully crafted so that all the required ZIP headers are in the right place.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/you-can-unzip-this-tiny-image-on-twitter-to-reveal-the-complete-works-of-shakespeare35643SimeonYou can unzip this tiny image on Twitter to reveal the complete works of ShakespeareSpotify hits 87 million paid subscribers

It’s not the biggest jump in subscribers for the streaming service, but it still helps Spotify maintain its lead over its biggest rival, Apple Music. In a recent report, it was estimated that Apple Music has 43.5 million subscribers (although that number isn’t directly from Apple).

Additionally, Spotify jumped from posting a €73 million ($83.3 million) loss in Q3 last year to a €6 million ($6.8 million) loss in this year’s Q3 results. The music streaming company is...

Today Nintendo revealed a lot of new information about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, including the final characters added to the roster. But one of the more surprising announcements was “Smash World,” a dedicated online service exclusively for sharing videos of the fighting game. We don’t know much else about it, but it will be launching after the game; Smash Ultimate is coming to the Switch in December, while the new service won’t be available until 2019.

Nintendo has slowly been adding more social features to its games, going so far as to add a dedicated screenshot / video capture button on the Switch controller. And given the hectic nature of Smash Bros., and its huge eclectic lineup of fighters, it should make for lots of good videos...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-is-getting-its-own-dedicated-video-sharing-service35645SimeonSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate is getting its own dedicated video sharing serviceNetflix to debut three new films in theaters, signaling a shift in strategy and ambition

Netflix has been wrestling with the film industry since it killed Blockbuster, and those struggles have only become more intense since the service began producing its own television shows and films. When it comes to screening its original films in theaters, Netflix has historically said that its projects have to be released simultaneously on its platform. That hasn’t played well with members of the film industry establishment, including theater chains and industry insiders. (Things came to a head earlier this year when Netflix, after being barred from competition in the Cannes Film Festival, exited the festival entirely.) This week, Netflix appears to have reversed its formerly ironclad policy: three of its upcoming releases — the...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/netflix-to-debut-three-new-films-in-theaters-signaling-a-shift-in-strategy-and-ambition35646SimeonNetflix to debut three new films in theaters, signaling a shift in strategy and ambitionSonos delays Google Assistant support until 2019

Sonos is delaying support for Google Assistant until 2019, the company announced in a blog post today. Back in October 2017, Sonos announced that Google Assistant would come to its Sonos One speaker in 2018, following its support for Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. But over the past year, that integration hasn’t materialized.

Nintendo held a 40-minute Smash Bros. Ultimate presentation today, during which the company unveiled new combatants for the Switch platform fighter: Ken from Street Fighter and Incineroar from Pokémon. This brings the total to 74 playable characters straight out of the box.

Ken will be an “echo fighter” for Ryu, meaning that he’ll have a somewhat similar play style and move set — though Nintendo notes that he’ll be faster. Incineroar, meanwhile, will focus largely on grabs and throws as moves. Ken’s appearance is based on Super Street Fighter II Turbo.

Smash Bros. Ultimate is set to release on December 7th, and today marks the final Nintendo Direct showcase for the fighting game. Beyond including every single character that has ever...

Uber drivers who maintain high ratings and low cancellation rates can earn rewards like increased take-home pay and free college tuition through Uber’s new rewards program, Uber Pro. It’s part of a broader effort by the ride-hailing company to improve relations with its drivers by helping them earn (and save) more money, but it could also have the effect of discouraging them from driving for other ride-hail apps.

Uber Pro divides drivers into four categories: partner, gold, platinum, and diamond. Drivers in the partner category need to maintain a 4.85 rating and a cancellation rate of 4 percent. To gain status, they must earn points on every trip during fixed three-month periods, and the points they earn in one period go toward...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/uber-will-start-rewarding-high-performing-drivers-with-better-earnings-and-free-college-tuition35649Simeonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3sn0tVNw4LKXMAP7WoY7FkOBjTI=/0x35:3000x2035/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61979523/696041472.jpg.0.jpgUber will start rewarding high-performing drivers with better earnings and free college tuition Lenovo’s Z5 Pro is a cheaper take on the slider phone trend

Until very recently, the slider phone was a thing of the past, consigned to the annals of history along with polyphonic ringtones and BlackBerry’s scroll wheel. Now, however, it’s seeing a resurgence, revived by manufacturers as they attempt to push the screen-to-body ratios of their devices higher and higher. What started with pop-up selfie cameras on phones like the Oppo Find X has morphed into handsets where the entire screen slides down to reveal a camera. Xiaomi has the Mi Mix 3, Honor has the Magic 2, and now Lenovo has the Z5 Pro (via Engadget).

The big advantage of the Z5 Pro is its price, which starts at ¥1,998 (around $287) compared to the Magic 2’s ¥3,799 ($545) or the Mi Mix 3’s ¥3,299 ($475). The trade-off is specs:...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/lenovos-z5-pro-is-a-cheaper-take-on-the-slider-phone-trend35634SimeonLenovo’s Z5 Pro is a cheaper take on the slider phone trendDish customers lose HBO in ongoing distribution dispute

HBO’s channels have gone dark for Dish and Sling TV customers due to an ongoing dispute between the premium cable network and the satellite TV provider, according to a report from Variety. The blackout, which began at midnight last night, marks the first time that HBO has been intentionally blacked out in the history of the channel.

Cable blackouts are nothing new in the entertainment world. Every so often, distributors and content producers will come to an impasse, resulting in channels being blacked out for subscribers while the two corporate monoliths sort things out. Of course, most customers could probably care less about licensing term negotiations, so the people paying for the content are the ones who are most hurt by the...

The OnePlus 6T is now available, starting at $549 for the most affordable configuration with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Aside from its low price that undercuts much of the Android flagship competition, its standout features include a refined design with a teardrop notch, fast-performing specs, and an in-display fingerprint sensor. And it's the first OnePlus phone to work on Verizon's network.

Its just-okay camera isn’t up to snuff compared to the iPhone XS or Google Pixel 3, and the omission of rated water resistance, wireless charging, and a headphone jack are a few other compromises that may give some pause, despite the appealing price. But that already-tempting price is made even easier to spread out if you’re buying the 6T on...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/you-can-now-buy-the-oneplus-6t35636SimeonYou can now buy the OnePlus 6TWhatsApp found a place to show you ads

A WhatsApp VP says the messaging service will start showing ads alongside its popular Status feature, reports The Economic Times. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, WhatsApp Vice President Chris Daniels said that the ads would be the service’s “primary monetisation mode for the company” and would offer “an opportunity for businesses to reach people.” No timeline was given for the change.

WhatsApp Status was launched early last year as a knockoff of the Stories feature found in Instagram and Snapchat. It has since become very popular, even surpassing Snapchat usage. The feature allows you to add a combination of text, photos, and videos to your profile, which are encrypted in the same way as your messages. Status updates are visible to...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/whatsapp-found-a-place-to-show-you-ads35622SimeonWhatsApp found a place to show you adsA supercomputer on the ISS will soon be open for science experiments

Astronauts will soon be able to use a supercomputer to help run science experiments on the International Space Station. The Spaceborne Computer, a joint project between NASA and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, launched to the ISS in 2017. It’s been limited to running diagnostic tests, figuring out how well a computer built for Earth could survive in space.

Now it will be available to process data for space-based experiments, which should save researchers on the ground valuable time. It will also save precious bandwidth in the tightly-controlled stream of data that NASA manages between the ISS and the ground. The exact experiments that the supercomputer will run in the next few months have not yet been disclosed.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/a-supercomputer-on-the-iss-will-soon-be-open-for-science-experiments35623SimeonA supercomputer on the ISS will soon be open for science experimentsWatch the Russian rocket failure that forced two astronauts to make an emergency landing

The Russian space agency Roscosmos has released footage of the failed Soyuz rocket launch that grounded a NASA astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut last month.

The two crew members were on their way to the International Space Station when the Russian-made Soyuz rocket (the only way to ferry humans to the ISS at this point in time) aborted about a minute and a half after takeoff. An official report detailing the cause of the failure is due to be published today, but Russian officials told news agencies yesterday that the problem was an on-board sensor used to track the separation of the rocket’s boosters.

The Soyuz is a multistage rocket, meaning it uses groups of engines that fire one after another to push the vehicle out of the grip of...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/watch-the-russian-rocket-failure-that-forced-two-astronauts-to-make-an-emergency-landing35624SimeonWatch the Russian rocket failure that forced two astronauts to make an emergency landingFacebook political ad tools are ripe for trolling

A little form field is giving Facebook a lot of trouble.

We’ve talked in recent weeks about the new “dark money” on Facebook. Earlier this year, the company began to require advertisers to verify their identities, a task they accomplish by typing in a code that they receive via a mailed postcard.

The trouble is that when advertisers post their ads, Facebook does not require them to post their verified identity. Instead, they can type whatever they want into a free-form field. And when people can lie on Facebook, they do.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/facebook-political-ad-tools-are-ripe-for-trolling35615SimeonFacebook political ad tools are ripe for trollingNetflix now available on Sky Q in the UK

British Satellite TV broadcaster Sky is making Netflix available on its Sky Q set-top boxes today. The Netflix integration will allow existing or new Netflix customers to get access to shows like Stranger Things, The Crown, and many more within the Sky Q interface. Sky has built Netflix directly into its TV guide, and it’s accessible from the on demand tab.

Sky Q users in the UK will be able to link an existing Netflix account to Sky, or opt for the company’s new “Ultimate On Demand” package. This new package is priced at £10 per month and includes access to Netflix and Sky Box Sets. Separately, Netflix is usually £7.99 per month and Sky Box Sets £5 per month, so there are some savings for Sky Q customers. However, Netflix in 4K will be...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/netflix-now-available-on-sky-q-in-the-uk35611SimeonNetflix now available on Sky Q in the UKTwitter is making it easier to toggle between latest and top tweets

Twitter has begun testing a feature that will give you a shortcut to quickly switch between the latest and “top” tweets. Announcing the beginning of the trial, the @Twitter account said that a small number of users would see the new button, which gives fast access to functionality buried deep within the app’s settings menu. The company first said it was working on the feature back in September.

If you’re included in the trial you’ll see a new icon on the top right of the iOS app. Tapping it will give you an option to “Switch to latest Tweets” or “Switch to top Tweets,” allowing you to see your timeline organised in chronological order or by Twitter’s algorithm.

Sometimes you want to see the latest Tweets, first. We’re testing a way...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/twitter-is-making-it-easier-to-toggle-between-latest-and-top-tweets35612SimeonTwitter is making it easier to toggle between latest and top tweetsiOS 12.1 exploit bypasses the lockscreen for access to contacts

Apple released its latest iOS 12.1 update to devices earlier this week, and security researchers have already discovered a new lockscreen bypass. The exploit provides access to all contact information on an iPhone, and involves activating a FaceTime call and accessing the new group FaceTime feature to see contact information without a passcode.

This particular exploit only works on iOS 12.1, and was discovered hours after Apple released the update on Tuesday. We’ve tested this exploit and can confirm it works on iOS 12.1. It follows yet another lockscreen bypass in the previous iOS 12.0.1 update that allowed attackers to steal recent photos from a device. Both attacks require physical access to an iPhone, and are particularly troublesome...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/ios-121-exploit-bypasses-the-lockscreen-for-access-to-contacts35604SimeoniOS 12.1 exploit bypasses the lockscreen for access to contactsJaybird’s new Tarah Pros promise 14 hours of battery life

Jaybird’s X series of headphones has been the company’s flagship for years, but today the fitness headphone company is introducing a new, premium model that takes the new top slot in the lineup.

The Tarah Pros are set to be the first in a new line of “Pro Series” products from Jaybird, designed with the more demanding needs of professional athletes in mind. To that end, the Tarah Pros look similar to the entry-level $99.99 Tarahs, with a similar barrel-shaped earbud. But there are plenty of differences, including the biggest new addition: a promised 14-hour battery life, far besting the six hours Jaybird promises with the Tarahs or the eight hours on the X4s.

Employees are walking out of Google offices worldwide in protest today as a storm around the company’s handling of sexual harassment cases continues to gather strength. Organizers of the Google Walkout for Real Change tell The New York Times that more than 1,500 employees, mostly women, are planning to walk out from more than 60 percent of Google’s offices at 11:10AM as timezones roll around the world.

“We don’t want to feel that we’re unequal or we’re not respected anymore,” said Claire Stapleton, a YouTube product marketing manager, to the Times. “Google’s famous for its culture. But in reality we’re not even meeting the basics of respect, justice and fairness for every single person here.”

]]>https://techfishnews.com/google-employees-worldwide-are-walking-out-today-to-protest-handling-of-sexual-misconduct35598SimeonGoogle employees worldwide are walking out today to protest handling of sexual misconductThe new horror film canon (and where to stream it)

For people with a lively interest in cinema’s rapid technolgical and cultural evolution over the past few decades, few areas are as fascinating as the horror genre. Just a few decades ago, horror films were mostly considered disreputable and schlocky. The field was dominated by cookie-cutter sequels full of masked slashers and low-rent monsters, and while many actors of note started out in horror, few willingly stayed there if they could get more prestigious work. Directors were another thing entirely, with a handful of dedicated genre enthusiasts, from George Romero to David Cronenberg, reliably cranking out memorable work — but they were usually the exception to the rule.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-new-horror-film-canon-and-where-to-stream-it35594SimeonThe new horror film canon (and where to stream it)Internet freedom continues to decline around the world, a new report says

Digital authoritarianism is on the rise, according to a new report from a group that monitors internet freedoms. Freedom House, a pro-democracy think tank, said today that governments are seeking more control over users’ data while also using laws nominally intended to address “fake news” to suppress dissent. It marked the eighth consecutive year that Freedom House found a decline in online freedoms around the world.

“The clear emergent theme in this report is the growing recognition that the internet, once seen as a liberating technology, is increasingly being used to disrupt democracies as opposed to destabilizing dictatorships,” said Mike Abramowitz, president of Freedom House, in a call with reporters. “Propaganda and disinformation...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/internet-freedom-continues-to-decline-around-the-world-a-new-report-says35595SimeonInternet freedom continues to decline around the world, a new report saysThe EU plans to test an AI lie detector at border points

Trials for AI lie detection at border patrol checkpoints are set to begin soon in the EU. The program, called iBorderCtrl, will run for six months at four border crossing points in Hungary, Latvia and Greece with countries outside the European Union, as reported by Gizmodo.

iBorderCtrl is an EU-funded project that uses AI in order to facilitate faster border crossings for travelers. The system has users fill out an online application and upload some documents, like their passport, before a virtual border guard takes over to ask questions. According to New Scientist, some of these questions include “What’s in your suitcase?” and “If you open the suitcase and show me what is inside, will it confirm that your answers were true?” Travelers...

JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon says he doesn’t “really give a shit” about bitcoin, his latest harsh comment on the popular cryptocurrency. Dimon spoke out about bitcoin yesterday at an Axios conference, after keeping silent for a period of time following an apology for calling bitcoin a “fraud.”

CBS continues to embrace online video streaming, introducing a second standalone network today that will be dedicated entirely to entertainment news.

According to TechCrunch, the new streaming network is called ET Live, and is a project from CBS Interactive and Entertainment Tonight, which is owned by CBS TV. The streaming service is free of charge, but supported by ads — meaning you’ll have to sit through ads just like traditional TV. Unlike the Entertainment Tonight television show, which runs for 30 minutes every weekday on CBS, ET Live will carry entertainment news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This will include “breaking news, celebrity interviews, features, behind-the-scenes and red carpet coverage, plus trends stories across...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/cbs-is-launching-a-standalone-streaming-network-for-entertainment-news35571SimeonCBS is launching a standalone streaming network for entertainment news10 scary podcasts to listen to in the dark

As podcasting has matured as a medium, it’s grown to cover almost every genre and style imaginable, from old-school tech talk and true crime, to sci-fi and sobering historical deep dives. It’s also proven extraordinarily adept at horror, with both fictional podcasts and real-life tales offering a variety of scares, chills, and unsettling encounters. Much like traditional radio dramas, there’s a distinct intimacy to the format, one that allows talented storytellers to unnerve audiences with nothing more than sound.

For Halloween, we’ve collected some of the best and scariest podcasts to grace our smartphones. They might be brand-new shows, or long-running classics, but like a great horror movie or novel, each and every one is practically...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/10-scary-podcasts-to-listen-to-in-the-dark35572Simeon10 scary podcasts to listen to in the darkSmart scares for smart people

By now, filmmakers and game designers have jump-scares down to a science. All it takes to really startle an audience is a combination of unsettling music, a protagonist or avatar creeping up on something they probably shouldn’t approach, and a big blare of sound and something moving rapidly at the screen. The formula works just about every time, to the point where a painfully clunky horror movie like Rings can get away with startling audiences just by having an umbrella open up on-screen really, really loudly.

But good horror — the kind that gets in under the skin and really sticks with you over time — usually has a psychological element, some kind of hook that plays to real, personal fears. The best horror is intelligently constructed,...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/smart-scares-for-smart-people35573SimeonSmart scares for smart peopleAlexa will tell you where you can vote and give real-time election updates

In the days leading up to the US midterm elections on November 6th, Amazon’s Alexa will be able to tell users information about voter registration deadlines, polling information, and give real-time election results. Following the election, Alexa will also be able to give more details on the outcome, including how many seats each party gained, and information on specific candidates.

Alexa will be sourcing its replies from a couple of different partners Amazon’s teamed up with. In the days before the election, Alexa will be offering information on voter registration deadlines, polling places and times, and ballot information from Ballotpedia, a nonprofit, nonpartisan digital encyclopedia. On Election Day, Alexa will be getting its...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/alexa-will-tell-you-where-you-can-vote-and-give-real-time-election-updates35574SimeonAlexa will tell you where you can vote and give real-time election updatesFaraday Future’s last founding executive resigns, plans emergency fund for employees

Spotify is returning to Roku’s streaming players and Roku TVs beginning today after a fairly long absence from the platform. Devices running Roku OS 9 (which has also just started rolling out) and TVs on OS 8.2 can head to the channel store and download the Spotify app. Aside from simply launching it from the home screen with a remote, the new Spotify for Roku app can also play tunes through Spotify Connect, so you can control playback from other devices like your smartphone.

Spotify removed its app from Roku products last December, citing a lack of satisfaction with that version of the software and promising to come back with something better. At the time, the company said “we expect the service to return as a much better overall...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-backlash-to-streamer-with-a-god-complex-reveals-a-big-twitch-taboo35562SimeonThe backlash to streamer with a ‘god complex’ reveals a big Twitch taboo The TV reboot of Heathers was doomed from the start

Spoilers ahead for the American TV remake of Heathers.

It should come as no surprise that the marathon release of Paramount Television’s Heathers fell apart. The embattled TV remake of the 1988 film comedy has been delayed repeatedly over the past year, as a wave of school shootings and terrible advance reviews made the show’s tongue-in-cheek look at high school violence seem like a public relations disaster. Paramount attempted to sell off the series, then heavily recut it, merging its 10 hourlong episodes into five two-hour segments, and removing large segments of the finale. But the plan for a weeklong Halloween marathon release of the recut edition, starting on October 25th, seemed to be coming together.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-tv-reboot-of-heathers-was-doomed-from-the-start35563SimeonThe TV reboot of Heathers was doomed from the startHonor made a colorful pair of AirPods clones

Honor announced a pair of wireless earbuds today called the FlyPods and the FlyPods Pro, and they’re nearly a carbon copy of Apple’s AirPods, down to the charging case. Honor’s parent company Huawei released a pair of AirPods clones earlier this year, called the Huawei FreeBuds, and was supposed to release its successor alongside the Mate 20, but plans seem to have changed. According to Gizmochina, the FreeBuds Pro 2 have been rebranded as Honor’s FlyPods Pro.

The FlyPods connect via Bluetooth 5.0, and have an IP54 waterproof rating, so it’s safe to work out with them. Earbuds can be used to answer calls, control media playback, and activate Honor’s YoYo voice assistant. The 420mAh battery should last three hours on a single charge, and...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/honor-made-a-colorful-pair-of-airpods-clones35547SimeonHonor made a colorful pair of AirPods clonesThe lost Fresh Prince ‘Nightmare on My Street’ video has reemerged on YouTube

In 1988, the summer ANightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master was released, New Line Cinema sued BMG, the music label of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. The rap duo’s second album He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper had been released earlier that year, and they made a video for “Nightmare on My Street,” a tribute, in the pair’s signature goofy style, to the Elm Street dream demon himself, Freddy Krueger. Originally, they’d been in talks to produce the video in conjunction with the studio, but the studio instead opted to commission “Are You Ready for Freddy?” from The Fat Boys. When BMG tried to release the video anyway, even managing to air it on MTV a few times, New Line sued and won, and the court ordered all copies of the video...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/the-lost-fresh-prince-nightmare-on-my-street-video-has-reemerged-on-youtube35548SimeonThe lost Fresh Prince ‘Nightmare on My Street’ video has reemerged on YouTubeFDA asks e-cigarette giants to help regulate themselves

Leading e-cigarette companies have admitted in meetings with the Food and Drug Administration that vape flavorings appeal to kids, and suggested ways that the agency could regulate those products, according to an FDA statement today. But public health experts say not to expect the industry to come up with useful ways to police itself.

After years of public health officials warning that young people were using e-cigarettes in alarming numbers, the FDA is crafting regulations to prevent kids and teens from vaping. And as part of the process, the FDA has asked the five leading e-cigarette brands to come up with plans to combat youth vaping. “Everyone involved in this market has a shared responsibility to address this public health crisis,”...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fda-asks-e-cigarette-giants-to-help-regulate-themselves35549SimeonFDA asks e-cigarette giants to help regulate themselvesTwitter now lets you report accounts that you suspect are bots

Twitter has updated a portion of its reporting process, specifically when you report a tweet that you think might be coming from a bot or a fake account masquerading as someone or something else. Now, when you tap the “it’s suspicious or spam” option under the report menu, you’ll be able to specify why you think that, including an option to say “the account tweeting this is fake.”

Twitter announced the change through its official safety account today, and it’s now live on both the web version and mobile version of the service. You can see an example of the mobile report flow pertaining to this update below:

Activity that attempts to manipulate or disrupt Twitter’s service is not allowed. We remove this when we see it.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/twitter-now-lets-you-report-accounts-that-you-suspect-are-bots35550SimeonTwitter now lets you report accounts that you suspect are botsFortnite’s monster-filled Halloween mode ends Sunday with a one-time event

Fortnite’s monster-fueled “Fortnitemares” event is coming to an end this weekend, and it looks like it will end with a bang. Developer Epic Games announced today that the Halloween event will end on Sunday, and that a one-time-only occurrence will happen in-game that day at 1PM ET. “Login early and be in-match to witness the one-time event,” the developer tweeted.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/fortnites-monster-filled-halloween-mode-ends-sunday-with-a-one-time-event35551SimeonFortnite’s monster-filled Halloween mode ends Sunday with a one-time eventTreating ‘genetic privacy’ like it’s just one thing keeps us from understanding people’s concerns

“Genetic privacy” is a complicated concept, and a new study finds that decoding how people feel about the idea is equally complex.

Genetic data can be collected for medical purposes, like genetic testing for hereditary diseases, by the government for identification purposes, or submitted to private companies that promise to tell you more about yourself and your ancestry. But increasingly, researchers are realizing that people’s expectations for how their data might be used aren’t lining up with reality.

For a study published today in the journal PLOS One researchers analyzed 53 studies (covering over 47,000 participants) that looked at how the general public, professionals, and patients viewed genetic privacy. The results paint a...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/treating-genetic-privacy-like-its-just-one-thing-keeps-us-from-understanding-peoples-concerns35552SimeonTreating ‘genetic privacy’ like it’s just one thing keeps us from understanding people’s concernsWithout new laws, Facebook has no reason to fix its broken ad system

In recent days, both Vice News and Business Insider have put Facebook’s political ad transparency efforts to the test ahead — and the results are not good. Yesterday, Vice was able to easily game the “Paid for by” disclosure on political ads, getting false disclosures approved in the name of all 100 sitting US senators. Facebook approved the ads after the purchaser was able to verify their own identity with a postcard showing that they were a US resident. From there, they could decide for themselves whose name would be listed under the “Paid for by” tag.

Facebook’s ads have been a source of frustration for lawmakers for years, especially in the aftermath of the 2016 elections when it was discovered that Russian influence agents were able...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/without-new-laws-facebook-has-no-reason-to-fix-its-broken-ad-system35533SimeonWithout new laws, Facebook has no reason to fix its broken ad systemLime removes some Segway Ninebot scooters from fleet amid concerns of battery fires

Electric scooter sharing company Lime has pulled a number of Segway Ninebot scooters from its fleet after learning that a manufacturing defect could result in batteries “smoldering or, in some cases, catching fire.”

According to the company’s statement, it first learned of the issue in August. Working independently and with Segway, Lime created software to identify the scooters with these batteries, and deactivated them once identified. A Lime representative speaking to The Washington Post said that in an effort to be abundantly cautious, around 2,000 scooters were recalled in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Lake Tahoe.

The company says that at no time were members of the public at risk, but The Washington Post does mention that the fire...

]]>https://techfishnews.com/lime-removes-some-segway-ninebot-scooters-from-fleet-amid-concerns-of-battery-fires35534SimeonLime removes some Segway Ninebot scooters from fleet amid concerns of battery firesMobile games like Hidden Folks are perfect for the Switch

Well over a year into the Nintendo Switch’s life, it’s still exciting and surprising to see huge console games like Wolfenstein or Diablo make their way to the tablet. There’s something inherently captivating about having an experience of that scale in the palm of your hands, or to be able to jump back and forth between your TV and tablet while using the same device. But the Switch has also proven itself to be a great place for smaller games, particularly from indie developers. Lately, some of those games have originated from an unlikely source: smartphones. And they’re so good it’s making me want more of my favorite mobile games on the Switch.

]]>https://techfishnews.com/mobile-games-like-hidden-folks-are-perfect-for-the-switch35535SimeonMobile games like Hidden Folks are perfect for the SwitchThe Wandering Earth could be China’s breakout sci-fi blockbuster film

China isn’t typically known for its science fiction blockbusters, but a new trailer for an upcoming film called The Wandering Earth has all the hallmarks of a big, Hollywood-style genre movie: it features a dramatic story of the Earth in peril, complete with eye-popping scenes of spaceships escaping Earth.

The Wandering Earth is based on a story by Cixin Liu, the author best known for The Three-Body Problem, and, more recently,